High Power Density from Pt Thin Film Electrodes Based Microbial Fuel Cell

Abstract

Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC) are robust devices capable of taping biological energy, converting sugars into potential sources of energy. Persistent efforts are directed towards increasing power output. However, they have not been researched to the extent of making them competitive with chemical fuel cells. The power generated in a dual-chamber MFC using neutral red (NR) as the electron mediator has been previously shown to be 152.4 mW/m 2 at 412.5 mA/m 2 of current density. In the present work we show that Pt thin film coated carbon paper as electrodes increase the performance of a microbial fuel cell compared to conventionally employed electrodes. The results obtained using E. coli based microbial fuel cell with methylene blue and neutral red as the electron mediator, potassium ferricyanide in the cathode compartment were systematically studied and the results obtained with Pt thin film coated over carbon paper as electrodes were compared with that of graphite electrodes. Platinum coated carbon electrodes were found to be better over the previously used for microbial fuel cells and at the same time are cheaper than the preferred pure platinum electrodes.

Key findings

• ▸Pt thin film coated carbon paper electrodes increased MFC performance compared to graphite electrodes.
• ▸The power density achieved with Pt thin film coated electrodes was higher than previously reported values.
• ▸The use of Pt thin film coated electrodes was found to be cost-effective compared to previous electrode materials.

Keywords

Identifiers

DOI

10.1166/jnn.2008.an15

Journal

Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Year

2008