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Dynamic evolution of anodic biofilm when maturing under different external resistive loads in microbial fuel cells. Electrochemical perspective

Dynamic evolution of anodic biofilm when maturing under different external resistive loads in microbial fuel cells. Electrochemical perspective
Dynamic evolution of anodic biofilm when maturing under different external resistive loads in microbial fuel cells. Electrochemical perspective
Appropriate inoculation and maturation may be crucial for shortening the startup time and maximising power output of Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs), whilst ensuring stable operation. In this study we explore the relationship between electrochemical parameters of MFCs matured under different external resistance (Rext) values (50 Ω - 10 kΩ) using non-synthetic fuel (human urine). Maturing the biofilm under the lower selected Rext results in improved power performance and lowest internal resistance (Rint), whereas using higher Rext results in increased ohmic losses and inferior performance. When the optimal load is applied to the MFCs following maturity, dependence of microbial activity on original Rext values does not change, suggesting an irreversible effect on the biofilm, within the timeframe of the reported experiments. Biofilm microarchitecture is affected by Rext and plays an important role in MFC efficiency. Presence of water channels, EPS and precipitated salts is distinctive for higher Rext and open circuit MFCs. Correlation analysis reveals that the biofilm changes most dynamically in the first 5 weeks of operation and that fixed Rext lefts an electrochemical effect on biofilm performance. Therefore, the initial conditions of the biofilm development can affect its long-term structure, properties and activity.
External resistance, internal resistance, Dynamics, Evolution, Continuous flow, Structure
0378-7753
392-401
Pasternak, Grzegorz
fd3857b4-1e43-4fa7-aab8-0162c02b2c1b
Greenman, John
eb3d9b82-7cac-4442-9301-f34884ae4a16
Ieropoulos, Ioannis
6c580270-3e08-430a-9f49-7fbe869daf13
Pasternak, Grzegorz
fd3857b4-1e43-4fa7-aab8-0162c02b2c1b
Greenman, John
eb3d9b82-7cac-4442-9301-f34884ae4a16
Ieropoulos, Ioannis
6c580270-3e08-430a-9f49-7fbe869daf13

Pasternak, Grzegorz, Greenman, John and Ieropoulos, Ioannis (2018) Dynamic evolution of anodic biofilm when maturing under different external resistive loads in microbial fuel cells. Electrochemical perspective. Journal of Power Sources, 400, 392-401. (doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2018.08.031).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Appropriate inoculation and maturation may be crucial for shortening the startup time and maximising power output of Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs), whilst ensuring stable operation. In this study we explore the relationship between electrochemical parameters of MFCs matured under different external resistance (Rext) values (50 Ω - 10 kΩ) using non-synthetic fuel (human urine). Maturing the biofilm under the lower selected Rext results in improved power performance and lowest internal resistance (Rint), whereas using higher Rext results in increased ohmic losses and inferior performance. When the optimal load is applied to the MFCs following maturity, dependence of microbial activity on original Rext values does not change, suggesting an irreversible effect on the biofilm, within the timeframe of the reported experiments. Biofilm microarchitecture is affected by Rext and plays an important role in MFC efficiency. Presence of water channels, EPS and precipitated salts is distinctive for higher Rext and open circuit MFCs. Correlation analysis reveals that the biofilm changes most dynamically in the first 5 weeks of operation and that fixed Rext lefts an electrochemical effect on biofilm performance. Therefore, the initial conditions of the biofilm development can affect its long-term structure, properties and activity.

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Published date: 1 October 2018
Keywords: External resistance, internal resistance, Dynamics, Evolution, Continuous flow, Structure

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 456216
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/456216
ISSN: 0378-7753
PURE UUID: 34dd9c5a-d92c-4e08-9f16-42eaaeea2f43
ORCID for Ioannis Ieropoulos: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-9641-5504

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Date deposited: 26 Apr 2022 17:49
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 04:10

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Author: Grzegorz Pasternak
Author: John Greenman

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