Abstract
Power output limitation is one of the main challenges that needs to be addressed for full-scale applications of the Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) technology. Previous studies have examined electrochemical performance of different cathode electrodes including the development of novel iron based electrocatalysts, however the long-term investigation into continuously operating systems is rare. This work aims to study the application of platinum group metals-free (PGM-free) catalysts integrated into an air-breathing cathode of the microbial fuel cell operating on activated sewage sludge and supplemented with acetate as the carbon energy source. The maximum power density up to 1.3 Wm−2 (54 Wm−3) obtained with iron aminoantipyrine (Fe-AAPyr) catalyst is the highest reported in this type of MFC and shows stability and improvement in long term operation when continuously operated on wastewater. It also investigates the ability of this catalyst to facilitate water extraction from the anode and electroosmotic production of clean catholyte. The electrochemical kinetic extraction of catholyte in the cathode chamber shows correlation with power performance and produces a newly synthesised solution with a high pH > 13, suggesting caustic content. This shows an active electrolytic treatment of wastewater by active ionic and pH splitting in an electricity producing MFC.
Highlights
One of the most important challenges that the world is facing today is inadequate access to clean water and sanitation
This study looks into the integration of a Fe-N-C catalyst with a carbon-based material such as activated carbon, since AC cathodes in a similar design of Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) outperformed a range of other carbonaceous materials and it is often used in literature as control material [39,40]
Carbon veil Carbon veil coated with conductive paint Carbon veil coated with conductive paint and Fe-AAPyr Activated carbon Activated carbon þ Fe-AAPyr
Summary
One of the most important challenges that the world is facing today is inadequate access to clean water and sanitation. Science and technology needs to be developed to improve the disinfection and decontamination of water [1] This could be achieved with the Microbial Fuel Cell technology, which could help address the challenge of sustainability [2] and provide energy recovery [3]. In recent years, this technology has been proven to generate electricity from a variety of substrates [4,5] including wastewater and human urine [6] and shown to have the potential for direct electricity usage to power practical applications such as robotic systems [7], mobile phones [8,9] and indoor lighting in remote areas as presented in recent field trials [10]
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