Exploring a new clean technology in renewable energy production: The system design of Aloe vera-based plant microbial fuel cells

Abstract

Abstract Plant-based plant microbial fuel cells are introduced as devices that directly convert solar energy into electrical energy through photosynthesis reactions. Plant microbial fuel cells, which are a renewable and sustainable energy source, produce bioelectricity at different levels depending on plant species and characteristics. In this paper, a plant microbial fuel cell was manufactured by planting Aloe vera in natural plant soil and placing graphite electrodes, then it was operated by giving pure water. Thus, an Aloe vera based plant-microbial fuel cell was manufactured and open circuit potential, linear scanning voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests were performed. The peak open-circuit potential generated by the aloe vera-based plant microbial fuel cell was 288 mV, and the peak value of power density reached levels of 200 W/m 2 . The high activation resistance and ohmic resistance of aloe vera-based plant microbial fuel cell triggered total internal resistance, causing it to show internal resistance at levels of 10 kiloohms. The aloe vera-based system demonstrates promising potential for electricity generation, as evidenced by its peak open-circuit potential. However, the high activation resistance and ohmic resistance leading to a total internal resistance of 10 kiloohms highlight areas for improvement to enhance its efficiency and practicality for widespread use. Further research and development are needed to address these challenges and unlock the full capabilities of aloe vera-based P-MFCs.

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Identifiers

DOI

10.21203/rs.3.rs-4559953/v1

Journal

Research Square

Year

2024