Towards effective small scale microbial fuel cells for energy generation from urine. (20th February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chouler, Jon; Padgett, George A.; Cameron, Petra J.; Preuss, Kathrin; Titirici, Maria-Magdalena; Ieropoulos, Ioannis; Di Lorenzo, Mirella
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 192(2016)
• Page Start: 89
• Page End: 98
• Publication Date: 2016-02-20
• Subjects: Microbial Fuel Cell -- Urine -- Biochar -- Bioenergy; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2016.01.112
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Fast prototyping of small-scale air cathode microbial fuel cells using 3D printed moulds. Effect of doubling the electrodes length on power output analysed. Use of green and cost-effective biomass-based carbon catalysts at the cathode Abstract: To resolve an increasing global demand in energy, a source of sustainable and environmentally friendly energy is needed. Microbial fuel cells (MFC) hold great potential as a sustainable and green bioenergy conversion technology that uses waste as the feedstock. This work pursues the development of an effective small-scale MFC for energy generation from urine. An innovative air-cathode miniature MFC was developed, and the effect of electrode length was investigated. Two different biomass derived catalysts were also studied. Doubling the electrode length resulted in the power density increasing by one order of magnitude (from 0.053 to 0.580 W m −3 ). When three devices were electrically connected in parallel, the power output was over 10 times higher compared to individual units. The use of biomass-derived oxygen reduction reaction catalysts at the cathode increased the power density generated by the MFC up to 1.95 W m −3, thus demonstrating the value of sustainable catalysts for cathodic reactions in MFCs.