Comparative analysis of different polymer materials for the construction of microbial fuel cell stacks

Ledezma, P., Ieropoulos, I. and Greenman, J. (2010) Comparative analysis of different polymer materials for the construction of microbial fuel cell stacks. Journal of Biotechnology, 150, S143-S143. (doi:10.1016/j.jbiotec.2010.08.373).

Abstract

Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) have potential use as a renewable energy source, notably in the recovery of electricity from wastewater, and reduction of energy needs for the treatment process. Recent studies have shown that electron abstraction is more efficient at the smaller scale and that scale up of electricity production (and concomitant breakdown of waste) is more likely to be achieved via stacking of several small MFCs rather than increasing the volume of single units. If these stacked systems are to be consolidated, an overall reduction in manufacturing costs must be achieved (no expensive materials/catalysts).

This study aims to compare 5 different commercially-available engineering plastics: PMMA (Poly methyl-methacrylate a.k.a. Perspex), PC (Polycarbonate), ABS and ABSplus (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and RC25 Nanocure (ceramic-filled photocurable resin). MFC chambers were fabricated–with common techniques such as CNC (Computer Numerical Controlled) machining, FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) and SL (Stereolithography)–to the same dimensions and evaluated under the same physicochemical conditions. The different constructs were assessed by long term (1 month) performance monitoring with a fixed load resistor and also by polarisation runs using a variable resistor box.

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Contributors

Author: I. Ieropoulos

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