Characteristics of Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Modified Stainless Steel as Anode in Air-Cathode Microbial Fuel Cells

Abstract

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) was electrochemically polymerized to in situ modify stainless steel (SS) plate electrode to improve its microbial bioelectrocatalytic activity as high-performance anode in microbial fuel cells. After modification, the surface of the electrode became rougher and showed better wettability. The electrochemical characteristics of PEDOT modified SS (PEDOT/SS) and bare SS electrodes were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Tafel corrosion polarization curves, respectively. It has been demonstrated that PEDOT modification could increase electrode capacitance and reduce electron transfer resistances. Compared with untreated SS, PEDOT/SS electrode showed better anticorrosion property as well. The modified anode produced a maximum power density of 608.6 mW/m2, which was about 6 times higher than bare SS anode. These results indicate that PEDOT treatment is an efficient method for SS to improve its performance as anode in MFCs.