On-Site Stacking Efficiency Performance of a Novel Full-3D-Printed Plant Microbial Fuel Cell Electrode Assembly

Abstract

Plant microbial fuel cells (PMFCs), a derivative of microbial fuel cells, are a clean and renewable energy source that utilizes plants and bacteria to generate bioelectricity. The electrodes utilize the electrons generated by the bacteria for a redox reaction to occur. In this study, the 3D-printed PMFC stake was designed and tested, which paved the way an accessible, convenient, and inexpensive electrodes while maintaining the ability to compete with other electrodes in terms of electricity generation. Series and parallel connections were significant due to the increase of the power output, from the average individual power of 1.06 × 10^–9 W, the average power increased up to an output of 5.47 × 10^–7 W provided by three-stack cells connected in series, and the highest obtained value was at 1.62 × 10^–4 W from a nine-stack parallel connection. The highest power density obtained was 9.18 mW/m² for the output setting, and it is obtained from the nine cells connected in parallel. These results proved that PMFC could be utilized for simultaneous electricity generation and food production. Additionally, the output power and power densities showed the potential of large-scale applications of PMFCs.