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Researchers developed an all-graphite microchannel microbial fuel cell with high power generation and conversion efficiency, achieving a high acetate conversion efficiency of over 80% and a low internal resistance of 1.2 kΩ.

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What they did

System
MFC

What worked

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Abstract

In this work, we present a new “all-graphite” concept in microfluidic fuel cells, applied to microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The all-graphite microfluidic MFCs were fabricated by milling channels directly into the electrodes. Two such electrode channels were affixed face-to-face with separation by an ion exchange membrane to form a complete MFC. Three such MFCs were fabricated with simple straight channels having different channel heights and activated with pure culture anaerobic Geobacter sulfurreducens electroactive biofilm. After the proof-of-principle and correlation between the channel height and electroactive biofilm thickness, we demonstrated improvements on power and current outputs using a fourth design, which featured a high surface area provided by pillars. A high acetate conversion efficiency of more than 80% and low internal resistance of 1.2 kΩ were achieved using the pillar MFC. Additionally, a high-power density of 4.7 W m⁻² was obtained with a straight channel MFC.

Key findings

  • High-power density of 4.7 W m⁻² was obtained with a straight channel MFC.
  • A high acetate conversion efficiency of more than 80% was achieved using the pillar MFC.
  • Low internal resistance of 1.2 kΩ was achieved using the pillar MFC.

Keywords

Microbial fuel cellMicrochannelGraphiteElectricity generationProcess engineeringFuel cells

Identifiers

Journal
ChemRxiv
Year
2024