Relation of anodic and cathodic performance to pH variations in membraneless microbial fuel cells

Guerrini, E.; Cristiani, Pierangela; Trasatti, Stefano P.

doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2012.10.001

Cited by 46 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 24 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The presence of compounds (organic substances, nutrients (N and P), calcium, magnesium, potassium, sulfur and others) in wastewater was previously identified. The precipitation of calcium carbonate on the inner side of cathode surface and sodium carbonate on the outer side of cathode was previously reported, 25,26 which gradually clogged of the pores of carbon papers, and reduced the water transport over time. In addition, oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) occurring on the plain carbon paper without any catalyst had the progressive formation of OH − , 24 and increased locally the cathode pH.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 80%

Evaluation of Water Transport and Oxygen Presence in Single Chamber Microbial Fuel Cells with Carbon-Based Cathodes

Santoro

Cremins

Pasaogullari

et al. 2013

J. Electrochem. Soc.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Water transport through the cathode and oxygen presence/absence in the anodic solution, are important for operation and performance of single chamber microbial fuel cells (SCMFCs). This study focused on water transport and biofilm formation on carbon papers with different characteristics: hydrophobicity, thickness, and presence of a micro porous layer (MPL). The results showed that higher hydrophobicity, thicker structures and the presence of the MPL decreased the water transport over time. The carbon papers with low hydrophobicity had complete penetration of biofilms and higher water transport, while those with high hydrophobicity and MPL had no biofilm penetration and lower water transport, indicating a clear correlation of biofilm penetration and water transport across carbon papers. Salt precipitation on carbon papers clogged the pores and resulted in lower water transport. Cyclic voltammograms using Au/Hg microelectrode inserted near the cathode indicated the absence of oxygen in the anodic solution due to the oxygen consumption by aerobic/anaerobic biofilms on cathodes. The results of water transport and oxygen presence illustrated that the biofilms can be used as a cost-effective membrane/separator for SCMFCs.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 80%

Evaluation of Water Transport and Oxygen Presence in Single Chamber Microbial Fuel Cells with Carbon-Based Cathodes

Santoro

Cremins

Pasaogullari

et al. 2013

J. Electrochem. Soc.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…MFCs that can cogenerate electricity and active sorbent, are likely to lead to a cost effective way of carbon capture and recycling of waste via artificial photosynthesis (Gajda et al, 2014b). Previous MFC studies that used sodium acetate as feedstock also showed the formation of the precipitates such as sodium and calcium carbonates suggesting that CO 2 produced at the anode prevents pH increase of the MFCs (Guerrini et al, 2013). The MFC-based extraction of sorbents from wastewater shows to be particularly attractive.…”

Section: Catholyte Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 97%

Electro-osmotic-based catholyte production by Microbial Fuel Cells for carbon capture

et al. 2015

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs), the recovery of water can be achieved with the help of both active (electro-osmosis), and passive (osmosis) transport pathways of electrolyte through the semi-permeable selective separator. The electrical current-dependent transport, results in cations and electro-osmotically dragged water molecules reaching the cathode. The present study reports on the production of catholyte on the surface of the cathode, which was achieved as a direct result of electricity generation using MFCs fed with wastewater, and employing Pt-free carbon based cathode electrodes. The highest pH levels (>13) of produced liquid were achieved by the MFCs with the activated carbon cathodes producing the highest power (309 μW). Caustic catholyte formation is presented in the context of beneficial cathode flooding and transport mechanisms, in an attempt to understand the effects of active and passive diffusion. Active transport was dominant under closed circuit conditions and showed a linear correlation with power performance, whereas osmotic (passive) transport was governing the passive flux of liquid in open circuit conditions. Caustic catholyte was mineralised to a mixture of carbonate and bicarbonate salts (trona) thus demonstrating an active carbon capture mechanism as a result of the MFC energy-generating performance. Carbon capture would be valuable for establishing a carbon negative economy and environmental sustainability of the wastewater treatment process.

show abstract

“…Previous observations had found that the development of biocathodes was closely associated with the functionality of bioanodes. 12 The behavior of the biocathodes (Figure 7) supports this statement. On the other hand, the interconnection between anode and cathode is a further proof of biologically activated cathodic reduction.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

“…10,11 Polarization curves showed the development of anodic catalytic peaks in correspondence of the working potential of those MFCs. 12 As a matter of facts, carbon cloth is still an expensive support, whose mechanical fragility prevents its widespread use especially for long terms operations. Furthermore, resistivity of tested carbon cloth was typically around 3-6 cm.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrochemical Behavior of Stainless Steel Anodes in Membraneless Microbial Fuel Cells

Guerrini

Cristiani

Grattieri

et al. 2013

J. Electrochem. Soc.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

AISI 304 stainless steel was studied as cost-effective tough anodes in membraneless single chamber microbial fuel cells (SCMFCs) fed with wastewater and sodium acetate, and compared with traditional carbon cloth (CC) anodes in terms of power generation, electrochemical properties and corrosion behavior. The performances of anodic materials were evaluated using single electrode potentiodynamic polarization curves and SEM observations. The AISI 304 SS anode showed a more complex interaction between substrate and bacteria than CC anodes under the microaerophilic or anaerobic operative conditions. A strong correlation between anode and cathode productivities was demonstrated, and significantly influenced the power generation of SCMFCs. The central role of bacteria in the processes of oxygen depletion, power generation, and stainless steel corrosion was determined, and a possible rate-determining step was proposed in agreement with recent literature. AISI 304 SS localized corrosion was found only on a part of the anode where oxygen was still present (redox potential (ORP) higher than −300 mV vs. SCE). A completely anaerobic environment prevented stainless steel corrosion, without the pit formation throughout the whole experiments (2 months). These results revealed a potential use of AISI 304 SS as a cost-effective anodic material.

show abstract

Relation of anodic and cathodic performance to pH variations in membraneless microbial fuel cells

Cited by 46 publications

References 24 publications

Evaluation of Water Transport and Oxygen Presence in Single Chamber Microbial Fuel Cells with Carbon-Based Cathodes

Evaluation of Water Transport and Oxygen Presence in Single Chamber Microbial Fuel Cells with Carbon-Based Cathodes

Electro-osmotic-based catholyte production by Microbial Fuel Cells for carbon capture

Electrochemical Behavior of Stainless Steel Anodes in Membraneless Microbial Fuel Cells

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About