Increased power output from micro porous layer (MPL) cathode microbial fuel cells (MFC)

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 38; no. 26; pp. 11552 - 11558
• Main Authors: Papaharalabos, G., Greenman, J., Melhuish, C., Santoro, C., Cristiani, P., Li, B., Ieropoulos, I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 30-08-2013
• Subjects: Biochemical fuel cells; Cathodes; Electric power generation; Electricity; Electrodes; Gas diffusion; Micro porous layer; Microbial fuel cells; Microorganisms; Practical implementation; Small-scale MFCs; Stacks; TI Chronos; Transducers; Microbial fuel cells; Small-scale MFCs; Stacks; TI Chronos; Practical implementation; Micro porous layer
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2013.05.138

Microbial fuel cells are bio-electrochemical transducers that utilise microorganisms to generate electricity, through the oxidation of organic matter. They consist of a negative anode and a positive cathode, separated by an ion selective membrane. The key to improve power, in open-to-air cathode MFCs, is the efficient utilisation of oxygen, by using high surface area materials and effective gas diffusion. This study investigated the effect of single micro porous layers, used as the coating on various electrode substrata, on the performance of small-scale MFCs. Furthermore, 2 of the modified small-scale (6.25 mL) MFCs were implemented as the power source for the TI Chronos digital wristwatch, thus successfully substituting the 3 V button cell, at least for the duration of the experiment.
•Increased performance from small-scale MFCs with MPL (∼100 μW).•MPL facilitated efficient water production at the cathode.•MPL produced water at the cathode, eliminated frequent manual hydration.•A TI Chronos digital wristwatch was successfully powered by 2 MFCs in series.