A novel electrospun Microtube Array Membrane (MTAM) based low cost conceptual tubular Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC)

Abstract

Electrospun Microtube Array Membranes (MTAMs) represent a novel new class of hollow fibers with a large range of application. Recently, micro-sized Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC) have garnered significant interests as a potential power source for ultra-low power applications. In view of such development we adapted the novel electrospun MTAMs through addition of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and earthen clay to form the anode and the proton exchange membrane (PEM). Assembled in a tubular structure, a micro-sized MFC with an anode volume of 2mL that registered a maximum power density of 2806.8mW/m2 and a maximum current density of 15633.3mA/m2 that operated for a maximum duration of 120 h was developed. Performance of this MFC was comparable with systems of similar volume and served as a stepping stone for future development of the miniaturization and integration of all the required MFC components into a single micron scale fiber.