Self-recoverable voltage reversal in stacked microbial fuel cells due to biofilm capacitance. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Bongkyu; Choi, Serah; Jang, Jae Kyung; Chang, In Seop
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 245:Part A(2017)
• Page Start: 1286
• Page End: 1289
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Microbial fuel cell -- Series connection -- Voltage reversal -- Biofilm capacitance -- Electron transfer system -- Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.08.163
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Voltage reversals can occur temporarily in stacked MFCs. Stacked MFCs can recover from voltage reversals without any external manipulation. These self-recovering voltage reversals are due to biofilm capacitance. Biofilm capacitance is the ability of enzymes to temporarily store electrons. Self-recovering voltage reversals must be considered to enhance MFC reliability. Abstract: In order to assess the effects of biofilm capacitance on self-recovering voltage reversals, the restored current is determined and compared with the measured biofilm capacitance by analyzing the results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. This comparison demonstrates that self-recovering voltage reversals are caused by temporary damage to, and the recovery of, biofilm capacitance which arises due to the ability of redox enzymes in the electron transfer system to temporarily store electrons. Thus, the development of procedures for voltage reversal control and for the maintenance of serially connected microbial fuel cells (MFCs) should take into account such temporary voltage reversal phenomenon. This discovery and characterization of self-recovering voltage reversals is expected to be practically useful to enhance the reliability of MFCs to be scaled up and implemented in practical systems.