Effect of the ceramic membrane properties on the microbial fuel cell power output and catholyte generation

Merino-Jimenez, Irene; Gonzalez-Juarez, Fernando; Greenman, John; Ieropoulos, Ioannis

Abstract

© 2019 The Authors Ceramic membranes for MFCs offer a low cost alternative to the expensive ion exchange membranes, whilst promoting catholyte accumulation. However, their physicochemical properties need to be optimised, in order to increase the power output and the catholyte quality from MFCs. Two compositions of fine fire clay (FFC) cured under three firing cycles were manufactured, analysed and tested as ion-exchange and structural material for MFCs. The samples were characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The power and catholyte generated from the ceramic MFCs with different FFC types was also evaluated. The results show a direct correlation between the ohmic resistance, the MFC power generation and the water absorption of the ceramics, giving a maximum power of 1 mW from the MFC with the most absorptive FFC (16.37% water absorbance). A slightly more alkaline catholyte was synthesised from the MFCs with higher water absorption FFC.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 9, 2019
• Online Publication Date: May 6, 2019
• Publication Date: Jul 31, 2019
• Deposit Date: Nov 6, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 11, 2020
• Journal: Journal of Power Sources
• Print ISSN: 0378-7753
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 429
• Pages: 30-37
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2019.04.043
• Keywords: microbial fuel cell (MFC), ceramic membrane, catholyte production, electroosmotic drag, urine
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/6804424