Recent achievements in enhancing anaerobic digestion with carbon- based functional materials

Abstract

Carbon-based materials such as graphite, graphene, biochar, activated carbon, carbon cloth and nano-tube, and maghemite and magnetite carbons are capable for adsorbing chemicals onto their surfaces. Currently, this review is to highlight the relevance of carbons in enhancing hydrogen or methane production. Some key roles of carbons in improving cell growth, enrichment and activity, and accelerating their co-metabolisms were elaborated with regard to their effects on syntrophic communities, interspecies electron transfer, buffering capacity, biogas upgrading, and fertilizer nutrient retention and land application. Carbons can serve as a habitation for microbial immobilization, and a provision for bioelectrical connections among cells, and provide some essential elements for anaerobes. Besides, an outlook on the possible options towards the large scale and improvement solutions has been provided. Further studies in this area could be encouraged to intend and operate continuous mode by designing carbon-amended bioreactor with stability and reliability.

Keywords: Anaerobic digestion; Carbon-based functional materials; Environmental bio-refinery; Hydrogen and methane production; Potential enhancement mechanisms.