A review on the effect of proton exchange membranes in microbial fuel cells

Mostafa Rahimnejad,Ghasem Najafpour,Gholamreza Bakeri,Sang-Eun Oh,Mostafa Ghasemi

doi:10.18331/brj2015.1.1.4

Abstract

Microorganisms in microbial fuel cells (MFC) liberate electrons while the electron donors are consumed. In the anaerobic anode compartment, substrates such as carbohydrates are utilized and as a result bioelectricity is produced in the MFC. MFCs may be utilized as electricity generators in small devices such as biosensors. MFCs still face practical barriers such as low generated power and current density. Recently, a great deal of attention has been given to MFCs due to their ability to operate at mild conditions and using different biodegradable substrates as fuel. The MFC consists of anode and cathode compartments. Active microorganisms are actively catabolized to carbon sources, therefore generating bioelectricity. The produced electron is transmitted to the anode surface but the generated protons must pass through the proton exchange membrane (PEM) in order to reach the cathode compartment. PEM as a key factor affecting electricity generation in MFCs has been investigated here and its importance fully discussed.

Highlights

IntroductionFossil fuels will be depleted. traditional sources of energy have many a lot of disadvantages such as greenhouse gas production
In a near future, fossil fuels will be depleted
The results showed that Nafion 112 could be modified for application in the microbial fuel cells (MFC)

Summary

Introduction

Fossil fuels will be depleted. traditional sources of energy have many a lot of disadvantages such as greenhouse gas production. Several countries in the world, have responded to the threats of energy security and global warming by diversifying their fuel sources to include renewable and alternative energy and developing clean energy technologies to replace the conventional ones (Daud et al, 2011). A key method for generating renewable and alternative energy is through use of fuel cell technology. The use of fossil fuels may lead to global warming, environmental pollution and climate change (Gunkel, 2009). Generating hydrogen from fossil fuels may not be a suitable alternative for replacing an energy resource

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