A new method for urine electrofiltration and long term power enhancement using surface modified anodes with activated carbon in ceramic microbial fuel cells

Gajda, Iwona; You, Jiseon; Santoro, Carlo; Greenman, John; Ieropoulos, Ioannis A.

Abstract

This work is presenting for the first time the use of inexpensive and efficient anode material for boosting power production, as well as improving electrofiltration of human urine in tubular microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The MFCs were constructed using unglazed ceramic clay functioning as the membrane and chassis. The study is looking into effective anodic surface modification by applying activated carbon micro-nanostructure onto carbon fibres that allows electrode packing without excessive enlargement of the electrode. The surface treatment of the carbon veil matrix resulted in 3.7 mW (52.9 W m−3 and 1626 mW m−2) of power generated and almost a 10-fold increase in the anodic current due to the doping as well as long-term stability in one year of continuous operation. The higher power output resulted in the synthesis of clear catholyte, thereby i) avoiding cathode fouling and contributing to the active splitting of both pH and ions and ii) transforming urine into a purified catholyte - 30% salt reduction - by electroosmotic drag, whilst generating - rather than consuming – electricity, and in a way demonstrating electrofiltration. For the purpose of future technology implementation , the importance of simultaneous increase in power generation, long-term stability over 1 year and efficient urine cleaning by using low-cost materials, is very promising and helps the technology enter the wider market.

Citation

Gajda, I., You, J., Santoro, C., Greenman, J., & Ieropoulos, I. A. (2020). A new method for urine electrofiltration and long term power enhancement using surface modified anodes with activated carbon in ceramic microbial fuel cells. Electrochimica Acta, 353, Article 136388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2020.136388

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 4, 2020
• Online Publication Date: May 10, 2020
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Jul 7, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 7, 2020
• Journal: Electrochimica Acta
• Print ISSN: 0013-4686
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 353
• Article Number: 136388
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2020.136388
• Keywords: Electrochemistry; General Chemical Engineering; Microbial fuel cell; Activated carbon; Micro-nanostructure; Ceramic membrane; Catholyte production; Urine
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/6183644
• Publisher URL: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/electrochimica-acta
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: A new method for urine electrofiltration and long term power enhancement using surface modified anodes with activated carbon in ceramic microbial fuel cells; Journal Title: Electrochimica Acta; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2020.136388; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.