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A waterproof breathable membrane (WBM) was used as a gas diffusion layer (GDL) in microbial fuel cells (MFCs), achieving a maximum power density of 611 ± 10 mWm⁻², comparable to a PTFE GDL.

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What they did

System
MFC

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Abstract

Abstract One of the main limiting factors for scaling up microbial fuel cells (MFCs) technology is to develop low‐cost and high‐efficiency cathode. A new and simplified approach was developed by using a commercial waterproof breathable membrane (WBM) as gas diffusion layer (GDL) material as substitution for conventional polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) GDL. Air‐cathode with the WBM pasted (AC‐P) onto the stainless steel mesh (SSM) achieved a maximum power density of 611 ± 10 mWm −2 , which was similar to that using a PTFE GDL by rolling method (645 ± 12 mWm −2 , AC‐R). Physical and electrochemical techniques were employed to investigate the morphology and electrochemical characteristics of the cathode. The result demonstrated that AC‐P had a higher current density and internal resistance than AC‐R. Besides, the WBM had a higher porosity and uniform texture. The study showed that the WBM was a kind of good GDL material for easy preparation, low cost and stable performance of cathode construction.

Key findings

  • The WBM had a higher porosity and uniform texture compared to PTFE GDL.
  • The air-cathode with WBM pasted (AC-P) had a higher current density and internal resistance than AC-R with PTFE GDL.
  • The WBM was a good GDL material for easy preparation, low cost, and stable performance of cathode construction.

Keywords

CathodeLimiting currentChemical engineeringPorosityElectrochemistryMicrobial fuel cell

Identifiers

DOI
10.1002/fuce.201500071
Journal
Fuel Cells
Year
2016