Quantitative evaluation of effects of different cathode materials on performance in Cd(II)-reduced microbial electrolysis cells. (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Ruikang; Zhou, Shaoqi; He, Chunqiu
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 307(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: Microbial electrolysis cell -- Electrode potential slope method -- Cd(II) reduction -- Cathode materials -- Bioelectrochemical system; 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.2020.123198
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: The electrode potential slope method quantifies different cathode materials. Cd(II) reduction performance was mainly limited by current density. Performance differences of current and potential in three cathodes were predicted. The SSM cathode showed highest system performance in Cd(II)-reduced MECs. Abstract: Three materials including stainless steel woven mesh (SSM), nickel foam (NF) and carbon cloth (CC) were conducted as cathode in Cd(II)-reduced microbial electrolysis cells (MECs), respectively. By using electrode potential slope (EPS) method, the experimental open circuit potentials of three cathodes were similar, while the SSM cathode showed the smallest resistance (6 ± 1 mΩ m 2 ), following by NF cathode (18 ± 2 mΩ m 2 ) and CC cathode (32 ± 5 mΩ m 2 ). These values were analyzed to predicte higher current density and more positive cathode potential in the MEC with SSM cathode under subsequent operating conditions. Electrochemical performance was more likely to be limited by current density than cathode potential. Accordingly, the MEC with SSM cathode obtained better system performance than that with other cathodes. This study further expands the application of EPS method that quantitatively evaluating and effectively selecting cathode materials for better system performance in Cd(II)-reduced MECs.