Abstract

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) with paper separators and liquid containing elements were investigated in supercapacitive mode. MFCs (15 mL) in a supercapacitive configuration, consisted of plain wrapped carbon veil anode (negative) and conductive latex cathode (positive). The internal supercapacitor is discharged galvanostatically and is self-recharged as red-ox reactions occur on both electrodes. MFCs were discharged at different current pulses varying from 1 mA to 7 mA. The MFCs had an equivalent series resistance of 41.2 ± 3.5 Ω caused mainly by the cathode. A maximum power of 1.380 ± 0.083 mW (0.092 ± 0.006 mW mL−1) was measured. Durability tests were conducted over 24 h collecting 1000 discharge cycles (0.5 s) and self-recharges (85 s) at a current of 1 mA. Over time the anode potential dropped causing a decline in performance perhaps due to evaporation of liquid from the pyramidal structure. Resistance and apparent capacitance measured during the durability test remained approximately constant during the cycles.

Highlights

  • Society is facing significant environmental challenges that are damaging the global climate, rendering our environment uncertain for future generations

  • It can be noted that the Vmax,OC for microbial fuel cells (MFCs)-A was 481 ± 4 mV which is 8 mV higher than the open circuit voltage (OCV) of MFC-B (473 ± 2 mV)

  • Paper based MFCs were tested in supercapacitive mode

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Summary

Introduction

Society is facing significant environmental challenges that are damaging the global climate, rendering our environment uncertain for future generations. Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) are a group of technologies that can help address these issues (Bennetto, 1990; Logan et al, 2006). All BES technologies employ electroactive bacteria to oxidise organic matter in a liquid (e.g. wastewater) (Bennetto, 1990; Logan et al, 2006). The microbes inhabit the anode chamber where organic compounds are oxidised and this is coupled with the reduction of an oxidant at the cathode electrode. The natural cathodic oxidant of choice is oxygen because of its high redox potential and atmospheric abundance (Bennetto, 1990)

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