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Bioelectricity Generation in Batch-Fed Up-Flow Membrane-Less Microbial Fuel Cell: Effect of Surface Morphology of Carbon Materials as Aqeuous Biocathodes

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Abstract

The surface morphology of biocathode was one of the limiting factors for microbial fuel cell (MFC) design. Up-flow membrane-less single-chambered MFC (UFML MFC) was used to investigate the effect of surface morphology of carbon material as aqueous biocathode. Pt-loaded carbon paper, carbon felt, and carbon plate were examined and compared on the power output, surface morphology for biofilm formation, Coulombic efficiency (CE), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction. The COD reduction was up to 90 % in UFML MFC with Pt-loaded carbon paper, carbon felt, and carbon plate as aqueous biocathodes. The results obtained showed that the performance in voltage output was not related to internal resistance but mainly due to the ability of cathode material in oxygen reduction process. The performance of voltage output with different materials as aqueous biocathode was mainly based on to the surface morphology as it was related to the ability of biofilm formation. Roughness of aqueous biocathode’s surface morphology could prompt the biofilm growth, while biofilm overgrowth on aqueous biocathode could decrease voltage output. Therefore, smoother surface morphology of aqueous biocathode is more suitable for long-term operation.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) ScienceFund (Grant No.02-01-15-SF0201). The authors are grateful for the supply of carbon felt (SG-222) by Maido Corporation, Japan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Water Research Group (WAREG), School of Environmental Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 02600, Arau, Perlis, Malaysia

    Wei-Eng Thung, Soon-An Ong, Yee-Shian Wong, Fahmi Ridwan, Yoong-Ling Oon, Yoong-Sin Oon & Harvinder Kaur Lehl

  2. School of Materials Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 02600, Arau, Perlis, Malaysia

    Li-Ngee Ho

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  1. Wei-Eng Thung
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  2. Soon-An Ong
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Correspondence to Soon-An Ong.

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Thung, WE., Ong, SA., Ho, LN. et al. Bioelectricity Generation in Batch-Fed Up-Flow Membrane-Less Microbial Fuel Cell: Effect of Surface Morphology of Carbon Materials as Aqeuous Biocathodes. Water Air Soil Pollut 227, 254 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-016-2961-5

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