Response of ceramic microbial fuel cells to direct anodic airflow and novel hydrogel cathodes
Response of ceramic microbial fuel cells to direct anodic airflow and novel hydrogel cathodes
The presence of air in the anode chamber of microbial fuel cells (MFCs)might be unavoidable in some applications. This study purposely exposed the anodic biofilm to air for sustained cycles using ceramic cylindrical MFCs. A method for improving oxygen uptake at the cathode by utilising hydrogel was also trialled. MFCs only dropped by 2 mV in response to the influx of air. At higher air-flow rates (up to 1.1 L/h)after 43–45 h, power did eventually decrease because chemical oxygen demand (COD)was being consumed (up to 96% reduction), but recovered immediately with fresh feedstock, highlighting no permanent damage to the biofilm. Two months after the application of hydrogel to the cathode chamber, MFC power increased 182%, due to better contact between cathode and ceramic surface. The results suggest a novel way of improving MFC performance using hydrogels, and demonstrates the robustness of the electro-active biofilm both during and following exposure to air.
Bioelectrochemical system, Biosensor, Hydrogel, Microbial fuel cell, Sequencing batch reactor, Wastewater treatment
15344-15354
Winfield, J.
b89bc6e7-045e-4a7e-9ef6-3de7f878d324
Greenman, J.
eb3d9b82-7cac-4442-9301-f34884ae4a16
Ieropoulos, I.
6c580270-3e08-430a-9f49-7fbe869daf13
7 June 2019
Winfield, J.
b89bc6e7-045e-4a7e-9ef6-3de7f878d324
Greenman, J.
eb3d9b82-7cac-4442-9301-f34884ae4a16
Ieropoulos, I.
6c580270-3e08-430a-9f49-7fbe869daf13
Winfield, J., Greenman, J. and Ieropoulos, I.
(2019)
Response of ceramic microbial fuel cells to direct anodic airflow and novel hydrogel cathodes.
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 44 (29), .
(doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.04.024).
Abstract
The presence of air in the anode chamber of microbial fuel cells (MFCs)might be unavoidable in some applications. This study purposely exposed the anodic biofilm to air for sustained cycles using ceramic cylindrical MFCs. A method for improving oxygen uptake at the cathode by utilising hydrogel was also trialled. MFCs only dropped by 2 mV in response to the influx of air. At higher air-flow rates (up to 1.1 L/h)after 43–45 h, power did eventually decrease because chemical oxygen demand (COD)was being consumed (up to 96% reduction), but recovered immediately with fresh feedstock, highlighting no permanent damage to the biofilm. Two months after the application of hydrogel to the cathode chamber, MFC power increased 182%, due to better contact between cathode and ceramic surface. The results suggest a novel way of improving MFC performance using hydrogels, and demonstrates the robustness of the electro-active biofilm both during and following exposure to air.
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Published date: 7 June 2019
Keywords:
Bioelectrochemical system, Biosensor, Hydrogel, Microbial fuel cell, Sequencing batch reactor, Wastewater treatment
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 456239
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/456239
ISSN: 0360-3199
PURE UUID: 0802aeee-620b-4e0f-a920-37f65e2954a8
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Date deposited: 26 Apr 2022 20:28
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 04:10
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Author:
J. Winfield
Author:
J. Greenman
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