Sterilization and Long-Term Stability of Cobalt Intercalated MnO₂ Catalyst in the Cathode of Separator-Free Microbial Fuel Cells
Kaisei Shiraki, Soichiro Hirose, Trang Nakamoto, Kozo Taguchi
AI summary
70% confidenceResearchers developed a sterilizable cathode for Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) using a Co-MnO2 catalyst, achieving a maximum power density of 110 μW/cm² and maintaining function for at least 158 days.
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- System
- MFC
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Abstract
Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) are a promising technology that can simultaneously address recent energy shortages and wastewater treatment problems for freshwater production. Recently, inexpensive Pt-free catalysts have been investigated to improve the cathode performance of MFCs. In this study, birnessite manganese oxide intercalated a cobalt (Co-MnO₂) catalyst to make the cathode sterilizable. The use of a bactericidal cathode is expected to improve output by suppressing electron transfer from microorganisms to the cathode, which is the cause of MFC performance degradation, and by eliminating the separator that limits proton transfer. The MFC with Co-MnO₂ catalyst on the cathode achieved a maximum power density of 110 μW/cm². In addition, the function of the Co-MnO₂ catalyst did not degrade for at least 158 days.
Key findings
- The Co-MnO2 catalyst improved MFC performance by suppressing electron transfer from microorganisms to the cathode.
- The use of a bactericidal cathode eliminated the need for a separator, improving proton transfer and overall MFC efficiency.
- The Co-MnO2 catalyst showed long-term stability, maintaining function for at least 158 days without degradation.
Keywords
Identifiers
- Journal
- International Journal of Smart Grid and Clean Energy
- Year
- 2023