A microbial fuel cell with the three-dimensional electrode applied an external voltage for synthesis of hydrogen peroxide from organic matter

Abstract

The study experimentally investigates the changing performance of three-dimensional electrode H2O2-producting MFCs coupled with simultaneous wastewater treatment at various external cell voltages from 0.1 V to 0.8 V, in order to explore the optimal applied voltage and its reasons. The graphite particle electrodes made of graphite powders with polytetrafluoroethene (PTFE) as the binder are used as three-dimensional cathode. The results indicate that applied voltage is demonstrated to increase the productive rate and output of H2O2 and the efficiency of acetate degradation. Besides, a relatively high current density caused by a high applied voltage has a positive impact on anode performance in terms of organic degradation and coulombic efficiency. In addition, a relatively high voltage leads to the reduction of H2O2 and the evolution of H2. Considering H2O2 concentration, anodic COD removal and current efficiencies of MFCs at various voltages, the optimal voltage is chosen to be 0.4 V, achieving the H2O2 generation of 705.6 mg L−1 at a rate of 2.12 kg m−3 day−1 and 76% COD removal in 8 h, with energy input of 0.659 kWh per kg H2O2. Coulombic efficiency, faradic efficiency and COD conversion efficiency are 92%, 96%, and 88% respectively.