Effect of Electron Acceptor in Bio-Fuel Cell

Abstract

Bio-fuel cell (BFC) using baker's yeast was constructed to examine electricity production. Glucose was used as fuel and electricity was produced by the overall redox reaction in the cell. Neoseptareg membrane was used as proton exchange membrane for separating an anodic compartment and a cathodic compartment. As electron mediator, methylene blue was used for transporting electron from yeast to electrode. Besides, carbon fiber cloth and carbon paper were used as electrodes for comparing the cell performance. Combination of two types of electron acceptor at the cathodic compartment, i.e. potassium ferricyanide and oxygen, were used to optimize efficiency of the system. It was found that electron acceptor affected the voltage generated by the BFC. The best performance was obtained from the system using carbon fiber cloth electrodes and two types of electron acceptors. Open circuit voltage of 450 mV and short circuit current density higher than 165 mA/m2 were obtained. Power density of 18 mW/m2 was obtained at 750 Omega load