Discover insights from thousands of peer-reviewed papers on microbial electrochemical systems
Chandru Thomare, Abhishek Nagappagol, Triveni Magadum et al.
Research Square · 2025
Abstract This paper describes a comprehensive mathematical model for simulating the performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) with MATLAB. The model involves bioelectrochemical, mass transport, and microbial growth kinetics to predict MFC behaviour at different operating conditions. A two-chamber MFC arrangement was simulated with specific interest in substrate utilization, biofilm growth kinetics, and electrochemical reaction at the anode. The model was able to accurately simulate polarization curves, power density yield, and rate of substrate degradation with precision less than 7% from experiments documented on lab-scale MFCs. Sensitivity analyses indicated biofilm conductivity and substrate concentration as factors that play a major role in affecting power production, with optimal performance for certain hydraulic retention times. The simulation framework provides a useful tool for the optimization of MFC design, minimizing the need for large laboratory experimentation. The ability of the model to forecast long-term performance and stability makes it especially suitable for upscaling MFC technology for real-world applications in wastewater treatment and bioenergy generation.
Jing Guo, Jianping Cheng, Jiaquan Wang et al.
Water Science and Technology · 2020
Abstract This study evaluated the effects of temporary external voltage on the performance of two-chambered microbial fuel cells (MFC) that use nitrate wastewater as a substrate. Results indicate that the external voltage affected the performance of the MFC during their operation, and this effect remained even after the voltage was removed. The degradation efficiency of the chemical oxygen demand increased in the MFC under external voltages of 0.5, 0.8, and 1.1 V, and the optimal applied voltage was 1.1 V. Compared with the control group without external voltages, the MFC under a voltage of 1.1 V achieved higher current densities and efficiency of nitrate removal during their operation. The MFC with an applied voltage of 1.1 V also achieved the highest maximum power density of 2,035.08 mW/m3. The applied voltages of 0.5 and 0.8 V exerted a positive effect on the performance of the MFC. High-throughput sequencing was used to explore the anode and cathode biofilms. Results showed that the influence was highly associated with microbial community in bio-anode. The predominant functional family changed from Methanotrichaceae during start-up to Flavobacteriaceae in a steady phase.
N. Rajalakshmi, V. Vijay, S. Pandian et al.
2nd International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology · 2003
In the production of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) stacks with multiple cell units, graphite has been widely used as a bipolar material. Graphite has excellent electrical conductivity, high electrochemical stability, and good machining characteristics, enabling fine and complex fuel/oxidant flow fields to be used. In spite of the above advantages, search for alternate materials is counting owing mainly to the present requirement of reduced cell volume and weight per power yield (kW) in many applications. Cost reduction for this component and volume production are other driving forces for the continuous thrust in this subject. Flexible (exfoliated) graphite is an alternate material that could meet many of the above requirements. We have made use of flexible graphite to fabricate a PEM fuel cell stack. The flow fields were introduced by stamping. An optimization study has been carried out for the width and depth of the flow field designs in terms of applied pressure to accommodate the resilience of the flexible graphite sheet. The performance of the 500 watts stack fabricated using this material compares well with that fabricated using the conventional graphite plates. However there are some technical issues still to be sorted out which will be discussed.
A. Tremouli, T. Kamperidis, P. Pandis et al.
Global NEST International Conference on Environmental Science & Technology · 2022
Microbial fuel cells (MFC) are bioelectrochemical systems that convert the chemical energy contained in waste to electricity, using bacteria as catalysts. In order to boost the power output of MFCs, various approaches are feasible. This study examines the effect of using MnO2, activated carbon and fly ash as catalysts on the performance of three identical single-chamber MFCs. Ceramic (mullite) tubes run through the chamber providing structural support to the catalyst. Graphite granules were used as the anode electrode for all units. The cells operated in batch mode using glucose (1.5 g COD/L) as substrate. High COD removal efficiencies (>75%) were achieved for all units. The best performance in terms of power output was achieved when using MnO2 catalyst (Pmax=2.32 W/m3).
Yasser A. Attia, Mohamed Samer, Mahmoud S. M. Mohamed et al.
Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery · 2022
Abstract Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are devices where bacteria generate electrical energy by oxidizing organic matter in wastewater. The implementation of MFCs on a commercial scale is limited due to electrode resistances, which are one of the key factors limiting electricity generation. This study presents a method to maximize the electrical power production from MFCs by coating the electrodes using nanomaterials which leads to prototyping novel electrodes having higher electrical conductivity than common electrodes. The voltage reached 1.234 V directly after operating the MFCs, with nanocoated electrodes, and showed voltage stability till the end of the 140 h interval with a peak value of 1.367 V with a maximum areal power density of 116 mW m −2 and a maximum volumetric power density of 15.6 mW m −3 . However, the voltage of the control (without coating) was steadily increased to 0.616 V after 22 h with a maximum areal power density of 23.6 mW m −2 and a maximum volumetric power density of 3.2 mW m −3 then showed voltage stability till the end of the 140 h interval. It was found that the coulombic efficiency of the MFCs where its electrodes are coated with graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets was higher than graphene, carbon nanotubes, and the control in a descending order, respectively. By this method, it is possible to improve the electrical conductivity of the MFCs which results in increasing the generated electrical power by 4.9 times the conventional method.
Chun Yu Ling, Ming Han, Yunzhong Chen et al.
Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology · 2015
Abstract An optimal or near to optimal design and operation of a direct liquid fuel cell (DLFC) stack requires an understanding of the relevant physical phenomena across length scales in the stack. In particular, perturbations between cells can arise due to external manifold design as well as variations in material and design parameters between cells. In this work, we seek to derive closed-form analytical expressions that capture the global stack performance, as well as individual cell behavior such as cell potential, current density, and methanol distribution. This approach allows for the simulation of large stacks with near to negligible computational overhead. Finally, the solutions are demonstrated for a stack subjected to perturbations in the anode inlet velocity of each cell.
Shaoan Cheng, Weifeng Liu, Dan Sun et al.
Surface and Interface Analysis · 2016
The physicochemical properties of anode material are important for the electron transfer of anode bacteria and electricity generation of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). In this work, carbon cloth anode was pretreated with isopropanol, hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) in order to reduce the anode functional groups. The influence of functional groups on the electrochemical properties of carbon cloth anode and power generation of MFCs was investigated. The anode pretreatments removed the surface sizing layer of carbon cloth and substantially reduced the contents of C‐O and pyridinic/pyrrolic N groups on the anode. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry analyses of the biofilm‐matured anodes revealed an enhanced electrochemical electron transfer property because of the anode pretreatments. As compared with the untreated control (612 ± 6 mW m −2 ), the maximum power density of an acetate‐fed single‐chamber MFC was increased by 26% (773 ± 5 mW m −2 ) with the isopropanol treated anode. Additional treatment with H 2 O 2 and NaOCl further increased the maximum power output to 844 ± 5 mW m −2 and 831 ± 4 mWm −2 . A nearly inverse liner relationship was observed between the contents of C‐O and pyridinic/pyrrolic N groups on anodes and the anodic exchange current density and the power output of MFCs, indicating an adverse effect of these functional groups on the electricity production of anodes. Results from this study will further our understanding on the microbial interaction with carbon‐based electrodes and provide an important guidance for the modification of anode materials for MFCs in future studies. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lea Ouaknin Hirsch, Bharath Gandu, Abhishiktha Chiliveru et al.
Microorganisms · 2024
The bacterial anode in microbial fuel cells was modified by increasing the biofilm’s adhesion to the anode material using kaolin and graphite nanoparticles. The MFCs were inoculated with G. sulfurreducens, kaolin (12.5 g·L−1), and three different concentrations of graphite (0.25, 1.25, and 2.5 g·L−1). The modified anode with the graphite nanoparticles (1.25 g·L−1) showed the highest electroactivity and biofilm viability. A potential of 0.59, 0.45, and 0.23 V and a power density of 0.54 W·m−2, 0.3 W·m−2, and 0.2 W·m−2 were obtained by the MFCs based on kaolin–graphite nanoparticles, kaolin, and bare anodes, respectively. The kaolin–graphite anode exhibited the highest Coulombic efficiency (21%) compared with the kaolin (17%) and the bare (14%) anodes. Scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed a large amount of biofilm on the kaolin–graphite anode. We assume that the graphite nanoparticles increased the charge transfer between the bacteria that are in the biofilm and are far from the anode material. The addition of kaolin and graphite nanoparticles increased the attachment of several bacteria. Thus, for MFCs that are fed with wastewater, the modified anode should be prepared with a pure culture of G. sulfurreducens before adding wastewater that includes non-exoelectrogenic bacteria.
Tao Jin, Lei Zhou, Jianmei Luo et al.
Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology · 2013
Abstract Background The anode material is considered a key factor influencing the energy conversion in microbial fuel cells ( MFCs ) because it links microbiology and electrochemistry. To further improve power generation, carbon mesh anodes modified by hydrazine hydrate chemical reduction were applied in air‐cathode MFCs . Results The power densities of MFCs using hydrazine‐treated anodes were all higher than the untreated control, among which a 30% hydrazine hydrate‐modified anode ( CM ‐30%) showed the best performance. The maximum power density reached 865 mW m −2 , which was 31% higher than the unmodified control ( CM ‐0%, 662 mW m −2 ). The Coulombic efficiency ( CE ) increased from 10.7% to 13.3% (improved by 24.3%). Furthermore, the acclimation time was reduced from 142 h to 95 h, shortened by 32% compared with the control. Such improvement in MFCs performance was correlated with the increased surface area revealed by scanning electron microscope ( SEM ) and the change of surface functional groups revealed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy ( XPS ) analysis. This enhancement in MFCs performance was also proved feasible when using real swine wastewater as substrate . Conclusions The results indicated that hydrazine hydrate chemical reduction was an effective method for anode modification to improve the performance of MFCs . © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Chandani Polgolla, Jun Xia, Xi Zhuo Jiang
Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A: Journal of Power and Energy · 2025
This work presents a three-dimensional numerical study on the impact of geometrical parameters of the porous transport layers of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) on its overall performance using ANSYS Fluent, with the overall current density as the key performance indicator under typical operating voltages of an automotive PEMFC, meanwhile maintaining proper two-phase water transport throughout the transport layers on both electrodes. The coupled charge, mass, momentum, species and energy conservation equations with source terms due to electrochemical reactions and phase change among different phases of water were solved to obtain a steady-state solution, typically using over 1.5 million meshes for the fuel cell, with each transport layer “resolved” in the height direction measuring the layer thickness. The modelling approach is validated against the measured polarisation profile of a PEMFC. Optimising the thicknesses h ’s of the porous transport layers is the focus of this study. Without changing other characteristics of these porous media, it would naturally be the first step to optimise the configuration of a fuel cell, which requires the least monetary and knowledge investment but potentially leads to substantial performance improvement, especially if the volume of the fuel cell can be reduced, which is important for automotive applications. Although past numerical studies that usually focused on one transport layer have offered valuable insights into optimising a fuel cell’s configutration to achieve optimal performance, it will be necessary to investigate a fuel cell as an integrated entity when performance optimisation is the objective, since realistic boundary conditions for all porous transport layers are determined in real time rather than assumed. Via an iterative approach, the present study has attempted to optimise the thicknesses of all porous transport layers of a single fuel cell. Optimal performance of the PEMFC was achieved with a reduction of its volume by 5.1%.
Daniela Velazquez, Juan-Carlos Sigala, Luz María Martínez et al.
Microbial Cell Factories · 2022
Abstract Background Fed-batch mode is the standard culture technology for industrial bioprocesses. Nevertheless, most of the early-stage cell and process development is carried out in batch cultures, which can bias the initial selection of expression systems. Cell engineering can provide an alternative to fed-batch cultures for high-throughput screening and host selection. We have previously reported a library of Escherichia coli strains with single and multiple deletions of genes involved in glucose transport. Compared to their wild type (W3110), the mutant strains displayed lower glucose uptake, growth and aerobic acetate production rates. Therefore, when cultured in batch mode, such mutants may perform similar to W3110 cultured in fed-batch mode. To test that hypothesis, we evaluated the constitutive expression of the green fluorescence protein (GFP) in batch cultures in microbioreactors using a semi defined medium supplemented with 10 or 20 g/L glucose + 0.4 g yeast extract/g glucose. Results The mutant strains cultured in batch mode displayed a fast-growth phase (growth rate between 0.40 and 0.60 h −1 ) followed by a slow-growth phase (growth rate between 0.05 and 0.15 h −1 ), similar to typical fed-batch cultures. The phase of slow growth is most probably caused by depletion of key amino acids. Three mutants attained the highest GFP fluorescence. Particularly, a mutant named WHIC (Δ ptsHIcrr , Δ mglABC ), reached a GFP fluorescence up to 14-fold greater than that of W3110. Strain WHIC was cultured in 2 L bioreactors in batch mode with 100 g/L glucose + 50 g/L yeast extract. These cultures were compared with exponentially fed-batch cultures of W3110 maintaining the same slow-growth of WHIC (0.05 h −1 ) and using the same total amount of glucose and yeast extract than in WHIC cultures. The WHIC strain produced approx. 450 mg/L GFP, while W3110 only 220 mg/L. Conclusion The combination of cell engineering and high throughput screening allowed the selection of a particular mutant that mimics fed-batch behavior in batch cultures. Moreover, the amount of GFP produced by the strain WHIC was substantially higher than that of W3110 under both, batch and fed-batch schemes. Therefore, our results represent a valuable technology for accelerated bioprocess development.
Irma Lucía Vera-Estrada, Andrés Dector, Víctor Manuel Ovando-Medina et al.
Research Square · 2023
Abstract Urine has recently been considered a source of novel biomarkers for early disease detection; developing more autonomous medical devices would be possible if the urine is also used as fuel in microfluidic fuel cells. This work presents a paper-based microfluidic fuel cell that operates, for the first time, with diabetic urine. Diabetic urine has a different composition than normal urine, and some molecules could affect urea oxidation and decrease fuel cell power generation. This work shows a selective catalyst of ZnO and nickel-based particles used as anode in a paper-based microfluidic fuel cell. Catalysts with different concentrations of Ni +2 were evaluated. The best results were obtained with 3% nickel, using diabetic urine; the maximum voltage achieved was 0.89 V, with a maximum current density of 1.18 mA cm -2 and a maximum power density of 1.26 mW cm -2 .
Hongpeng Zhang, Marco Chen, Ruoqian Lu
Highlights in Science, Engineering and Technology · 2023
The development of Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) technology has progressed greatly in the past few decades to the point where it can now be considered viable in certain industries. MFCs are cells that utilize microorganisms as catalysts to transform wastes into electrical energy, this new type of bioenergy can generate energy as well as decompose the wastes produced from industries and daily life. This article provides an overview of MFC’s properties, factors influencing the performance of MFCs, recent applications and prospects of MFCs, and the advantages and weaknesses of MFCs. Biofouling and waste debris from reaction inside the cell as well as not suitable pH value will cause significant degrade in performance of MFCs, at the same time, magnetic field and environmental temperature can help improve MFCs’ performance if utilized properly. Compared to other bioenergy technologies, MFCs do not need intensive heat and the cost of reaction materials is extremely low, nevertheless, the low energy output, relatively short life span, and high cost of materials building MFC itself are still barriers challenging MFCs to be widely adopted. Recently, MFCs are utilized in various areas, they are available for both electricity and hydrogen production, and they can deal with waste treatment or bioremediation at the same time. This paper aims at finding solutions to the existing problems of MFCs and exploring a wider range of areas that MFCs can be utilized.
Chin Tsan Wang
Applied Mechanics and Materials · 2014
Sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) produce electricity through the bacterial oxidation of organic matter contained in the sediment, but the power density is limited and needs to be improved. In this study, a new design of a fined-type cathode with carbon cloth embedded partly, as opposed to completely, in SMFCs were utilized. As a result, the design allowing the cathode to contact air will have a positive effect on the power performance and decrease the resistance of the inner system. The power density in the cases where the cathode was about half soaked was about two folds the case where it was soaked completely. Furthermore, SMFCs would also be seen as a driving force in hastening the COD removal because it was about 1.92-folds the COD removal of the cases where SMFCs where not present. These findings can be applied to sewage treatment and improving the power performance in SMFCs.
Zhizhao Xiao, Max Rümenapf, Max Hackbarth et al.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2025
Abstract A 10 L Rotating Disc Bioelectrochemical Reactor (RDBER) was operated as a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) under different rotational speeds and counter electrode configurations. Increasing the anode’s speed from 0.25 to 1 rpm raised the anodic current density from 55 ± 14 to 100 ± 7 A m -3 while increasing hydrogen production rates from 0.05 ± 0.01 to 0.18 ± 0.01 . Higher speeds provided no further benefit. Moving the counter electrodes to the upper reactor half reduced observed hydrogen shuttling. The modified RDBER reached current densities of 1.98 ± 0.11 A m -2 and 0.99 ± 0.03 hydrogen production. Optical coherence tomography confirmed biofilm morphology changes but no significant increase in biovolume or substratum coverage. Hydrogen recovery remained below 50%. While the RDBER achieved high volumetric current densities and volumetric hydrogen production rates compared to other MEC pilots, improvements in anodic current density and cathodic hydrogen recovery are required for practical application. Graphical Abstract Highlights 10 L RDBER was operated as MEC in batch experiments at different rotational speeds hydrogen shuttling was reduced through cathode displacement Current densities of 198 ± 11 A m -3 and H 2 -production rates of 0.99 ± 0.03 L L R -1 d -1 Anodic biofilm parameters were not significantly altered by cathode modification
Elena Carcadea, D. B. Ingham, L. Ma et al.
Volume 2: Controls, Diagnostics and Instrumentation; Cycle Innovations; Electric Power · 2007
Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells have been identified as a viable emerging technology for future power generation systems in terms of both stationary and mobile applications since it offers a significant economical and environmental potential in future power production. This paper presents the development of a PEM fuel cell system using a full three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model for the system optimization. The fuel cell investigated is a seven serpentine channel cell of 100cm2 active area. The model includes a complete set of mathematical equations for the fluid flow, multi-component species transport, electrochemistry, and the transport of protons and electrical currents throughout the PEM fuel cell. The results obtained from the parametric analyses of the cell performance at different current loads have been presented. The model results provide us detailed information on the fluid dynamics and electrochemical processes that occur in the fuel cell. This generates a clear picture on the fuel/oxidant distribution, consumption, and the current density distribution in the fuel cell. This assists us in identifying the critical parameters that influence the cell performance and sheds light onto the physical mechanisms leading to the improvement of the fuel cell system performance.
Bibiana Cercado, Ana Laura Vega-Guerrero, Francisco Rodríguez-Valadez et al.
Journal of the Mexican Chemical Society · 2017
The effect of real dairy wastewater (DWW) additions on the current density generated by a bioanode was evaluated in a half cell configuration under potentiostatic control, thus simulating the anodic chamber of a Microbial Fuel Cell. Low substrate additions increased current density up to 1655 ± 136 mA m-2, forming a two-current peak pattern. Then the system was tested with a casein-lactose synthetic media. A high protein concentration reduced the current density; individual compounds led to the highest current (330.5 mA m-2 with casein; 1276 mA m-2 with lactose). Moreover, the protein reduced the current start up time.
D. Sa´nchez, R. Chacartegui, A. Mun˜oz et al.
Volume 2: Controls, Diagnostics and Instrumentation; Cycle Innovations; Electric Power · 2007
The integration of high temperature fuel cells — molten carbonate and solid oxide — and gas turbine engines for efficient power generation is not new. Different strategies for integrating both systems have been proposed in the past ten years and there are some field tests being run presently. However, the commercial availability of such power systems seems to be continuously delayed, probably due to cost and reliability problems. The materials used in high temperature fuel cells are expensive and their cost is not decreasing at the expected pace. In fact, it looks as if they had reached stabilization. Therefore, there seems to be agreement that operating at a lower temperature might be the only way to achieve more competitive costs to enter the market, as metallic materials could then be used. From the point of view of conventional hybrid systems, decreasing the operating temperature of the cell would affect the efficiency of the bottoming cycle dramatically, as long as turbine inlet temperature is a critical parameter for the performance of a Brayton cycle. This is the reason why hybrid systems perform better with solid oxide fuel cells operating at 1000 °C than with molten carbonate cells at 650 °C typically. This work presents a hybrid system comprising a high temperature fuel cell, either SOFC or MCFC, and a bottoming Brayton cycle working with supercritical carbon dioxide. A parametric analysis is done where all the parameters affecting the performance of the hybrid system are studied, with emphasis in the bottoming cycle. For the Brayton cycle: pressure ratio, expansion and compression efficiencies, recuperator effectiveness, pressure losses, turbine inlet temperature... For the fuel cell: fuel utilization, current density, operating temperature, etc. From this analysis, optimum operating point and integration scheme are established and, after this, a comparison with conventional hybrid systems using similar fuel cells is done. Results show that, although the fuel cell is not pressurized in the CO2 based system, its performance is similar to the best conventional cycle. Furthermore, if lower operating temperatures are considered for the fuel cell, the new system performs better than any of the conventional.
Magdalena Dudek, Mikołaj Zarzycki, Andrzej Raźniak et al.
Energies · 2023
The novel constructions of hybrid energy sources using polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEMFCs), and supercapacitors are developed. Studies on the energy demand and peak electrical power of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) weighing up to 100 kg were conducted under various conditions. It was found that the average electrical power required does not exceed ~2 kW under all conditions studied. However, under the dynamic electrical load of the electric drive of mobile robots, the short peak power exceeded 2 kW, and the highest current load was in the range of 80–90 A. The electrical performance of a family of PEMFC stacks built in open-cathode mode was determined. A hydrogen-usage control strategy for power generation, cleaning processes, and humidification was analysed. The integration of a PEMFC stack with a bank of supercapacitors makes it possible to mitigate the voltage dips. These occur periodically at short time intervals as a result of short-circuit operation. In the second construction, the recovery of electrical energy dissipated by a short-circuit unit (SCU) was also demonstrated in the integrated PEMFC stack and supercapacitor bank system. The concept of an energy-efficient, mobile, and environmentally friendly hydrogen charging unit has been proposed. It comprises (i) a hydrogen anion exchange membrane electrolyser, (ii) a photovoltaic installation, (iii) a battery storage, (iv) a hydrogen buffer storage in a buffer tank, (v) a hydrogen compression unit, and (vi) composite tanks.
Daniel Gonzalo Arboleda Avilés, Oscar Fernando Núñez Barrionuevo, Omar Fernando Sánchez Olmedo et al.
Revista Colombiana de Química · 2019
Every year the demand for energy worldwide is increasing. There are some alternatives to reduce these problems, such as clean energy or renewable energy. A particular alternative is the microbial fuel cells. These cells are biochemical reactors that convert chemical energy into electricity. The present research evaluated the dairy serum to produce bioelectricity from micro fuel cells (MFC) that were constructed with low-cost materials and with isolated bacteria in anaerobic sediments, located in Ecuadorian national territory, producing maximum voltages of 0.830 V in the circuit and a maximum power density of 30mW / m2. This low voltage was worked with 50 mL MFCs and with an output voltage of 300 mV. Under these conditions, a FLYBACK lift circuit isolated by the transformer was designed. This new circuit could increase the voltage from 30 mV to enough voltage to light a 2.5 V LED. Therefore, the energy produced by the MFC can be directly used to light a LED and to charge capacitors. This study shows that these MFCs, together with the designed circuit, could be used potentially to generate clean energy.
Shixuan Jin, Yiyu Feng, Jichao Jia et al.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS · 2022
Optimizing the structure of electrode materials is one of the most effective strategies for designing high‐power microbial fuel cells (MFCs). However, electrode materials currently suffer from a series of shortcomings that limit the output of MFCs, such as high intrinsic resistance, poor electrolyte wettability, and low microbial load capacity. Here, a three‐dimensional (3D) nitrogen‐doped multiwalled carbon nanotube/graphene (N‐MWCNT/GA) composite aerogel is synthesized as the anode for MFCs. Comparing nitrogen‐doped GA, MWCNT/GA, and N‐MWCNT/GA, the macroporous hydrophilic N‐MWCNT/GA electrode with an average pore size of 4.24 µm enables high‐density loading of the microbes and facilitates extracellular electron transfer with low intrinsic resistance. Consequently, the hydrophilic surface of N‐MWCNT can generate high charge mobility, enabling a high‐power output performance of the MFC. In consequence, the MFC system based on N‐MWCNT/GA anode exhibits a peak power density and output voltage of 2977.8 mW m −2 and 0.654 V, which are 1.83 times and 16.3% higher than those obtained with MWCNT/GA, respectively. These results demonstrate that 3D N‐MWCNT/GA anodes can be developed for high‐power MFCs in different environments by optimizing their chemical and microstructures.
Robert W. Atkinson, Yannick Garsany, Keith Bethune et al.
ECS Meeting Abstracts · 2019
Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) power production is highly influenced by the properties of the gas diffusion media (GDM). The GDM typically comprise a mesoporous carbon layer (MPL) on top of a porous carbon-fiber gas diffusion layer (GDL) which are both wetted with polytetrafluoroethylene ( PTFE) to modify their water retention. In a PEMFC, the GDM are compressed to either side of the catalyst coated membrane. The GDM are active in the fuel cell transport processes including electron and heat conduction, water removal, and distributing reactant gases to the catalyst layers, which affects the electrochemistry in the catalyst layers. These transport phenomena rely on both the properties of the GDM solid phase and its voids, making optimization of GDM material properties challenging. The majority of reports in the PEMFC literature addressing GDM focus solely on the cathode, since water is produced at this electrode and its ineffective removal can block active sites and occlude O 2 diffusion. Most research reports use symmetrical anode and cathode GDM. To date, there has been less discussion on the role of the anode GDM or how anode and cathode GDM properties can be selected in concert to increase fuel cell power output, despite that a significant amount of water in a fuel cell is rejected to the anode. We consider that anode and cathode GDM properties, such as air permeability, must be chosen in unison to improve cell water management. In our previous work, we used X-ray computed tomography to observe that dry-laid, non-woven, Freudenberg GDM maintain large void volume while permitting high compressive stress, ultimately resulting in lower contact and ohmic resistances and better mass transport compared to another distinct class of GDM (wet-laid, SGL). 1 In this work, we make a range of PEMFCs using a suite of Freudenberg GDM to study the influence of anode and cathode GDM air permeability and how these properties may be paired to improve cell hydration and increase fuel cell power production in a broad range of operating conditions. Fuel cells are characterized with cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), gravimetric analysis, and limiting current measurements to quantify the sources of mass transport resistance. Gradients of GDM material properties from anode to cathode improve cell hydration and facilitate water removal to reduce mass transport resistances and enable higher power operation. 1. “The Role of Compressive Stress on Gas Diffusion Media Morphology and Fuel Cell Performance,” R. W. Atkinson III, Y. Garsany, B. D. Gould, K. E. Swider-Lyons, I. V Zenyuk, ACS Applied Energy Materials, 2017, 1 (1), 191–201.
Ziad T. Alismaeel, Mohanad J. M‐Ridha, Mohammed G. Shamikh et al.
ChemistrySelect · 2024
Abstract The crisis of obtaining drinking water and electrical energy from clean sources has been the primary focus of researchers seeking ecologically acceptable and cost‐effective alternatives. The microbial desalination cell (MDC) has shown to be one of the most cost‐effective and promising ways for creating electricity, cleaning sewage water, and naturally desalinating water. In this work, the AEM (Anion Exchange Membrane) was used in the anodic chamber, and potassium ferricyanide in the cathodic chamber as catholyte solution. Meanwhile, SEM (Scanning electron microscopy) analyses was used to define the resulting surface morphologies. This study gave an optimization model by Central Composite Design model, where all the variables affecting the microbial desalination cell (the initial concentration of COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), the initial concentration of TDS (Total dissolved solids) and the operating time of the cell) were entered to obtain an equation for each response (electrical energy productivity, COD removal efficiency and water desalination efficiency) in addition to study the ANOVA (Analysis of variance) for each response and study the interactions of the variables with each other that affect the response. The variables were determined for the initial concentration of (COD) from (300‐1200 mg/L) and the initial concentration of (TDS) from (15–35 g/L) and the duration of the operating time was from (4–24 h) the maximum productivity was obtained. The power was 2.2 mW, and the maximum water desalination gave 42 %, and the optimum COD removal was 35 %. In addition to diagnosing the active sludge employed and defining the kind of bacteria controlling it, this research looked at the breakdown of the yield of ion exchange membranes, which had a negative impact on the desalination process and the productivity of electrical energy.
Zhiming Zhang, Sai Wu, Huimin Miao et al.
Sustainability · 2022
High-power proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell vehicles are important for the realization of carbon neutrality in transportation. However, it is difficult to maintain enough fuel supply and quick water removal capacity at a high current density where reactant gas transportation and water concentration are directly affected by flow channel configurations. This study aims to investigate the tapered slope effects of a flow channel on fuel cell performance using a 3-D CFD model. The positive, negative, zero and hybrid tapered slopes are proposed to illustrate the fuel cell voltage, reactant gas and water vapor concentration in the flow channels. Among them, the flow channel with a positive tapered slope performs better, especially at a high current density. Then, the positive tapered slope effects are discussed, including different tapered slopes, inlet depths and widths of flow channels. The results show that the larger the tapered slope, the smaller the depth and width, and the better the fuel cell performs; the corresponding current densities are increased by a maximum of 6.53%, 12.72% and 61.13%. The outcomes stated above provide a key direction for flow channel design that can particularly achieve higher fuel cell power density at high current densities.
Annukka Santasalo-Aarnio, Pekka Peljo, Eero Aspberg et al.
ECS Transactions · 2010
The performance of an alkaline direct alcohol fuel cell (DAFC) supplied with a FAA-2 membrane as an electrolyte and utilizing methanol, ethanol and iso-propanol solutions as a fuel was studied. In addition, the permeability of these fuels through the membrane is investigated at different concentration to facilitate the interpretation of the fuel cell results. The permeability decreased with the increasing size of the alcohol molecule and it was some ten times lower through FAA-2 compared to Nafion® 115 for all the studied fuels. In the alkaline DAFC, the highest power density was obtained with 1 mol dm-3 iso-propanol (0.75 mW cm-2). However, the cell showed good performance with more concentrated fuels, even with 15 mol dm-3 methanol solution. Solution resistances of these MEA materials at different fuels and concentrations were obtained with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
C. H. Tsai, C. S. Hwang, C. L. Chang et al.
Fuel Cells · 2013
Abstract The metal‐supported intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells with a porous nickel substrate, a nano‐structured LDC (Ce 0.55 La 0.45 O 2–δ )–Ni composite anode, an LDC diffusion barrier layer, an LSGM (La 0.8 Sr 0.2 Ga 0.8 Mg 0.2 O 3–δ ) electrolyte, an LSCF (La 0.58 Sr 0.4 Co 0.2 Fe 0.8 O 3–δ )–LSGM composite cathode interlayer and an LSCF cathode current collector are fabricated by atmospheric plasma spraying. Four different plasma spraying powers of 26, 28, 30, and 34 kW are used to fabricate the LSCF–LSGM composite cathode interlayers. Each cell with a prepared LSCF–LSGM composite cathode interlayer has been post‐heat treated at 960 °C for 2 h in air with an applied pressure of 450 g cm –2 . The current‐voltage‐power and AC impedance measurements indicate that the LSCF–LSGM composite cathode interlayer formed at 28 kW plasma spraying power has the best power performance and the smallest polarization resistance at temperatures from 600 to 800 °C. The microstructure of the LSCF–LSGM composite cathode interlayer shows to be less dense and composed of smaller dense regions as the plasma spraying power decreases to 28 kW. The durability test of the cell with an optimized LSCF–LSGM composite cathode interlayer gives a degradation rate of 1.1% kh –1 at the 0.3 A cm –2 constant current density and 750 °C test temperature.
Samuel Simon Araya, Søren Juhl Andreasen, Søren Knudsen Kær
ASME 2014 12th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology · 2014
As fuel cells are increasingly commercialized for various applications, harmonized and industry-relevant test procedures are necessary to benchmark tests and to ensure comparability of stack performance results from different parties. This paper reports the results of parametric sensitivity tests performed based on test procedures proposed by a European project, Stack-Test. The sensitivity of a Nafion-based low temperature PEMFC stack’s performance to parametric changes was the main objective of the tests. Four crucial parameters for fuel cell operation were chosen; relative humidity, temperature, pressure, and stoichiometry at varying current density. Furthermore, procedures for polarization curve recording were also tested both in ascending and descending current directions.
Hwa-Seob Song, Jong-Chul Hong, Gyu-Jin Jang et al.
Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology · 2013
In this study, Hyosung demonstrates how a dual-cell structured polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) can guarantee the development of a stack with enlarged active area and cost innovation without a change in electrochemical performance and operation conditions. The insertion of insulation part within the bipolar plate and divided membrane electrode assemblies allowed the two individual cells in single layer. This enables the development of highly cost effective stack for PEMFC of a 1 kW class for residential power generators. The decrease in the number of layers can be represented as a cost reduction. We developed a stack of 24 layers with 48 cells, 48 V at open circuit voltage (OCV) and achieved a performance rating of 0.75 V per cell at 250 mA/cm2.
Linde Ren, Jinrong Lu, Hua Liu
New Journal of Chemistry · 2021
Herein, the output power density produced by Fe–Cu–NC- x as the cathode catalyst of a MFC was higher than that of the AC control.
Solène Moulin, Bertrand Légeret, Stéphanie Blangy et al.
Scientific Reports · 2019
Abstract Use of microbes to produce liquid transportation fuels is not yet economically viable. A key point to reduce production costs is the design a cell factory that combines the continuous production of drop-in fuel molecules with the ability to recover products from the cell culture at low cost. Medium-chain hydrocarbons seem ideal targets because they can be produced from abundant fatty acids and, due to their volatility, can be easily collected in gas phase. However, pathways used to produce hydrocarbons from fatty acids require two steps, low efficient enzymes and/or complex electron donors. Recently, a new hydrocarbon-forming route involving a single enzyme called fatty acid photodecarboxylase (FAP) was discovered in microalgae. Here, we show that in illuminated E. coli cultures coexpression of FAP and a medium-chain fatty acid thioesterase results in continuous release of volatile hydrocarbons. Maximum hydrocarbon productivity was reached under low/medium light while higher irradiance resulted in decreased amounts of FAP. It was also found that the production rate of hydrocarbons was constant for at least 5 days and that 30% of total hydrocarbons could be collected in the gas phase of the culture. This work thus demonstrates that the photochemistry of the FAP can be harnessed to design a simple cell factory that continuously produces hydrocarbons easy to recover and in pure form.
Epiphane Zingbe, Damgou Mani Kongnine, Bienvenu M. Agbomahena et al.
Electrochem · 2025
In a plant microbial fuel cell (P-MFC), the plant provides the fuel in the form of exudates secreted by the roots, which are oxidised by electroactive bacteria. The immature plant is hampered by low energy yields. Several factors may explain this situation, including the low open-circuit voltage of the plant cell. This is a function of the development of the biofilm formed by the electroactive bacteria on the surface of the anode, in relation to the availability of the exudates produced by the roots. In order to exploit the fertilising role of biochars, a plant cell was developed from C. citratus and grown in a medium to which 5% by mass of coconut shell biochar had been added. Its effect was studied as well as the distance between the electrodes. The potential of Cymbopogon citratus was also evaluated. Three samples without biochar, with inter-electrode distances of 2, 5 and 7 cm, respectively, identified as SCS2, SCS5 and SCS7, and three with the addition of 5 % biochar, with the same inter-electrode distance values, identified as S2, S5 and S7, were prepared. Open-circuit voltage (OCV) measurements were taken at 6 a.m., 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. The results showed that all the samples had high open-circuit voltage values at 1 p.m. Samples containing 5% biochar had open-circuit voltages increased by 16 %, 8.94% and 5.78%, respectively, for inter-electrode distances of 2, 5 and 7 cm compared with those containing no biochar. Furthermore, the highest open-circuit voltage values were obtained for all samples with C. citratus at an inter-electrode distance of 5 cm. The maximum power output of the PMFC with C. citratus in this study was 75.8 mW/m2, which is much higher than the power output of PMFCs in recent studies.
Yilkal Dessie, Sisay Tadesse, Rajalakshmanan Eswaramoorthy
Journal of Nanomaterials · 2021
In this study, biosynthesized α-MnO2/NiO NPs and chemically oxidative polyaniline (PANI) were synthesized to form ternary composite anode material for MFC. The synthesized materials were characterized with different materials (UV-Vis, FTIR, XRD, TGA-DTA-DSC, SEM-EDX-Gwyddion, CV, and EIS) to deeply examine their optical, structural, morphological, thermal, roughness, and electrocatalytic properties. The degree of surface roughness for α-MnO2/NiO/PANI was 23.65 ± 5.652 nm . This value was higher than the pure α-MnO2, pure PANI, and even α-MnO2/PANI nanocomposite due to surface modification. The total charge storing performance for bare PGE, α-MnO2/PGE, PANI/PGE, α-MnO2/PANI/PGE, and α-MnO2/NiO/PANI/PGE were 5.291, 17.267, 20.659, 23.258, and 24.456 mC. From this, the charge storing performance formed by α-MnO2/NiO/PANI-modified PGE was highest, indicating that this electrode is best in cycle stability and increases its life cycle during energy conversion time in MFC. This is also supported by its effective surface area, having a value of 0.00984 cm2. From this, it is evidenced that the ternary composite catalyst-modified anode facilitates the fast electrocatalytic activity as observed from its high peak current and lower peak-to-peak potential separation ( Δ E p = 0.216 V ) than other electrodes. Such surface modification helps to store more electrical charge by increasing electrical conductivity during its charge/discharge processing time. In addition, the lower charge transfer resistance property with a value of 788.9 Ω and the fast heterogeneous electron transfer rate of ~2.92 s-1 enable to facilitate glucose oxidation, and this enhances to produce high power output and increase wastewater treatment efficiency. As a result, the bioelectrical activity of α-MnO2/NiO/PANI composite-modified PGE was very effective in producing a maximum power density of 506.96 mW m-2 with COD of 81.92%. The above observations justified that α-MnO2/NiO/PANI/PGE serves as an effective anode material in double-chambered MFC application.
B. R. Ringeisen, S. E. Lizewski, L. A. Fitzgerald et al.
Electroanalysis · 2010
Abstract Electrochemically active bacteria (EAB) are prominently found in aquatic environmental sediment samples and wastewater streams, which are known to contain several different types of microorganisms. Even though microbial consortia are found to enhance both Coulombic efficiency and total power output in microbial fuel cells (MFCs), it is currently unknown how many different EAB contribute to current generation in these systems. It is also difficult to track the relative population of different species during MFC operation. We used biological laser printing (BioLP) to isolate different bacterium from complex environmental samples and MFC anolytes. BioLP can be used to print droplets containing a single cell directly from liquid culture, thereby enabling EAB to be sorted from unmodified environmental or MFC samples. Isolated species were identified through 16S rDNA analysis of pure cultures derived from the printed samples. These experiments demonstrate how cell printing can be used as a single‐step method to separate and identify microorganisms from complex environmental samples and operating MFCs.
Daisie D. Boettner, Gino Paganelli, Yann G. Guezennec et al.
Dynamic Systems and Control · 2001
Abstract This paper describes use of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell system model for automotive applications in a fuel cell system/battery hybrid configuration. The fuel cell system model has been integrated into a vehicle performance simulator that determines fuel economy and allows consideration of control strategies. The simulator is used to explore relevant regions of the fuel cell-powered hybrid electric vehicle design space by conducting simulations using two simple supervisory-control strategies: thermostatic control and proportional control. During the simulations power provided by the battery and fuel cell system and operational limits on battery state of charge and fuel cell system current density are varied while maintaining minimum component sizing to meet vehicle performance criteria. Analysis of results from these simulations provides component power sizing and limits of operation suitable for development of a more advanced supervisory vehicle control strategy for a fuel cell vehicle.
Akil Ahmad, Mohammed B. Alshammari, Mohamad Nasir Mohamad Ibrahim
Processes · 2023
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are thought to be ecologically friendly, despite electron transport and generation challenges. In order to address this, the efficiency of MFCs was investigated using two different anode electrodes made from biomass: graphene oxide (GO) and graphene oxide-metal oxide (GO-MO) (GO-ZnO). After 18 days of operation, the maximum power density for GO was 0.69 mW/m2, whereas the maximum power density for GO-ZnO was 1.05 mW/m2. Furthermore, the ability of MFCs to transform the soluble metal ions (Cd2+, Cr3+, Pb2+, and Ni2+) into an insoluble state was investigated, which is a secondary use of MFCs with significant benefits. In the soluble state of metal ion transformation into an insoluble state, the rate of GO-ZnO was higher (92.71%) than that of GO (81.20%). The outcomes of material, analytical, and biological tests undertaken to validate the efficiency of anodes are presented. It has been shown that using innovative materials as electrodes in MFCs is a potential method for improving electron transport. Furthermore, as an organic substrate, food waste seems to be a viable alternative to more traditional options. In light of these discoveries, we investigate various unanswered issues and possibilities for MFCs. Organic substrate evaluation trials were also included in the present results to demonstrate that organic waste may be a reliable source of MFC performance. This article also has a thorough discussion of food waste oxidation, as well as challenges and future recommendations.
Nurhazirah Mohd Azmi, Nadira Anandita, Husnul Azan Tajarudin et al.
Journal of Physics: Conference Series · 2021
Abstract Fossil fuels have supported the industrialization and economic growth of countries during the past centuries and it is clear that they cannot indefinitely sustain in a longer time. In this study, membrane-less microbial fuel cell (ML-MFC) with mediators-less and air cathode had potential solution to generate electricity power and at the same time could reduce the abundant of food waste (1.64 kg/daily, around 8 tonnes/year) which dumped in the landfill and it’s cost effective device. The ML-MFC operated electrochemically incorporate electrogenic bacteria (EB) acted as a biocatalyst in order to produce electricity. The performance and optimization performance of food waste was evaluated using one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) method and it was focused to pH for power generation. To determine the generated electricity the polarization curve was used to evaluate the performance of ML-MFC. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) of food waste was studied. The optimization of pH condition in ML-MFC was ranging from 7 to 9. Results showed that pH 8 was the optimum pH for EB strain, Bacillus Subtilis , with the high voltage (807 mV), EB biomass (15.46 mg/L), and power density (373.3 mW/m 2 ) generated. Clearly the pH environment condition affected the efficiency of ML-MFC performance. The increase in EB biomass also increased the voltage in the ML-MFC, proving that EB biomass and voltage were associated with growth.
Elham Shafiee Roudbari, Mohammad Taghi Hamidi Beheshti, Seyed Mehdi Rakhtala
IET Power Electronics · 2019
Nowadays, the demand for electrical energy is increasing, and conventional power systems will face major problems in the future if they cannot generate extra demand for electrical energy. One of the best solutions for solving extra demand for electrical energy is the use of renewable resources to produce energy. The main aim of this study is designing and controlling the microgrid voltage and frequency. This study proposed the voltage and frequency control of an islanded microgrid based on fuzzy logic controller. The system considered for this study consists of Proton‐Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) that connected to parallel inverters to convert DC voltage to AC voltage. The control structure is based on adaptive droop control and fuzzy voltage control loop. Also, the proposed structure controls active and reactive powers and decreases power losses of the microgrid. Simulation results are presented to show the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed control structure over the conventional proportional–integral controller. It is shown that the proposed controller has good transient response under the output voltage PEMFC variation and load changes as disturbance.
S. Jouttijärvi, Xueli Yao, M. I. Asghar et al.
Research Square · 2020
Abstract A mixed ionic and semiconducting composite in a single-layer configuration has been shown to work as a fuel cell at a lower temperature (500-600 oC) than a traditional solid-oxide fuel cell. The performance of a single-layer fuel cell (SLFC) is often limited by high resistive losses. Here, an eutectic mixture of alkali-carbonates was added to SLFC to improve the ionic conductivity. The dual-phase composite ionic conductor consisted of a ternary carbonate (sodium lithium potassium carbonate, NLKC) mixed with gadolinium-doped cerium oxide (GDC). Lithium nickel zinc oxide (LNZ) was used as the semiconducting material. The LNZ-GDC-NLKC SLFC reached a high power density, 582 mW/cm2 (conductivity 0.22 S/cm) at 600 °C, which is more than 30 times better than without the carbonate. The best results were obtained with the ternary carbonate which decreased the ohmic losses of the cell by more than 95%, whereas the SLFC with a binary carbonate (sodium lithium carbonate, NLC) showed a lower conductivity and performance (243 mW/cm2, 0.17 S/cm at 600°C). It is concluded that adding carbonates to LNZ-GDC will improve the ionic conductivity and positively contribute to the cell performance. These results suggest a potential path for further development of SLFCs, but also imply the need for efforts on up-scaling and stability to produce practical applications with SLFC.
Siddharth Rajupet, Clayton J. Radke, Adam Z. Weber
ECS Meeting Abstracts · 2024
Electrochemical reactions in proton-exchange-membrane (PEM) fuel cells occur within catalyst layers (CL). The catalyst layer consists of a porous network of metal-activated catalyst particles coated with an ion-conducting polymer binder (ionomer) that enables proton transport. Nafion, a perfluorinated sulfonic-acid polymer, is the common binder used and consists of a hydrophobic backbone with negatively charged sulfonic-acid side chains. Prior studies have shown the Nafion distribution in catalyst layers is nonuniform on both the nano 1 and micrometer-scale. 2 This inhomogeneity is thought to impede catalyst-layer performance by limiting proton transport in Nafion-deficient regions and limiting oxygen transport in Nafion-enriched regions. The Nafion distribution in the catalyst layer is governed by the ink from which it is deposited. The catalyst ink is a colloidal slurry consisting of catalyst-activated particles and Nafion typically dispersed in a water-alcohol solvent mixture. Within this ink, some Nafion adsorbs to the surface of catalyst particles, while the remainder is dispersed in solution. Prior studies hypothesize that adsorption in the ink facilitates a more uniform Nafion distribution in the final catalyst layer, thereby improving transport in the catalyst layer. 3,4 Here, we characterize Nafion adsorption in catalyst inks by sedimenting catalyst particles with adsorbed Nafion from inks. The adsorbed Nafion content of the sediment is measured using thermogravimetric analysis. Nafion adsorption to catalyst particles is irreversible and is limited by electrostatic repulsion of the negatively charged Nafion sidechains. We demonstrate that one can control the extent of adsorption by adding mineral acid to the ink to increase the ionic strength and decrease electrostatic repulsion. Through adding acid, the extent of Nafion adsorption to catalyst particles increases by more than a factor of 2 as shown in Figure 1 below. Next, the effect of Nafion adsorption in the ink is correlated to final catalyst-layer performance and properties via cell diagnostics including sheet resistance, polarization performance, and limiting-current measurements. Overall, the talk will elucidate the governing interactions that control Nafion adsorption and how this adsorption affects performance. Acknowledgements This work was funded under the Million Mile Fuel Cell Truck Consortium. References [1] Girod, R., Lazaridis, T., Gasteiger, H. A., & Tileli, V. (2023). Three-dimensional nanoimaging of fuel cell catalyst layers. Nature Catalysis , 6 (5), 383–391. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-023-00947-y [2] Orfanidi, A., Rheinländer, P. J., Schulte, N., & Gasteiger, H. A. (2018). Ink Solvent Dependence of the Ionomer Distribution in the Catalyst Layer of a PEMFC. Journal of The Electrochemical Society , 165 (14), F1254–F1263. https://doi.org/10.1149/2.1251814jes [3] Ott, S., Orfanidi, A., Schmies, H., Anke, B., Nong, H. N., Hübner, J., Gernert, U., Gliech, M., Lerch, M., & Strasser, P. (2020). Ionomer distribution control in porous carbon-supported catalyst layers for high-power and low Pt-loaded proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Nature Materials , 19 (1), 77–85. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-019-0487-0 [4] Islam, M. N., Mansoor Basha, A. B., Kollath, V. O., Soleymani, A. P., Jankovic, J., & Karan, K. (2022). Designing fuel cell catalyst support for superior catalytic activity and low mass-transport resistance. Nature Communications , 13 (1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-33892-8 Figure 1
Nur Izzati Iberahim, Nabilah Aminah Lutpi, Li‐Ngee Ho et al.
Environmental Quality Management · 2024
Abstract The purpose of this article is to assess the feasibility analysis of microbial fuel cells (MFCs), particularly in the configuration of dual chamber salt bridge microbial fuel cell (DCSB‐MFC), as a promising approach for simultaneous bioelectricity generation and wastewater remediation. The application of a salt bridge presents an economically viable alternative to the use of a proton exchange membrane, which is known for its high cost, in the construction of MFCs. This arrangement has been demonstrated to offer significant benefits in terms of enhancing the performance of new elements and evaluating operational parameters. However, it also encounters issues related to the total internal resistance (R int ) of the MFCs as well as power density (P). In addition, it has been found that traditional packing materials such activated carbon and gravel demonstrate poor permeability, internal resistance, and slow biofilm growth. Furthermore, there is a necessity to search for electrodes that possess high resistance to corrosion and are cost‐effective to achieve optimal bioelectricity generation. Therefore, this article aims to emphasize the research areas that require attention. By addressing these areas, the actual implementation of this configuration can be brought closer to practical implementation.