Parameters characterization and optimization of activated carbon (AC) cathodes for microbial fuel cell application

Santoro, Carlo; Artyushkova, Kateryna; Babanova, Sofia; Atanassov, Plamen; Ieropoulos, Ioannis; Grattieri, Matteo; Cristiani, Pierangela; Trasatti, Stefano; Li, Baikun; Schuler, Andrew J.

Abstract

Activated carbon (AC) is employed as a cost-effective catalyst for cathodic oxygen reduction in microbial fuel cells (MFC). The fabrication protocols of AC-based cathodes are conducted at different applied pressures (175-3500. psi) and treatment temperatures (25-343. °C). The effects of those parameters along with changes in the surface morphology and chemistry on the cathode performances are comprehensively examined. The cathodes are tested in a three-electrode setup and explored in single chamber membraneless MFCs (SCMFCs). The results show that the best performance of the AC-based cathode is achieved when a pressure of 1400. psi is applied followed by heat treatment of 150-200. °C for 1. h. The influence of the applied pressure and the temperature of the heat treatment on the electrodes and SCMFCs is demonstrated as the result of the variation in the transfer resistance, the surface morphology and surface chemistry of the AC-based cathodes tested. © 2014 .

Citation

Santoro, C., Artyushkova, K., Babanova, S., Atanassov, P., Ieropoulos, I., Grattieri, M., …Schuler, A. J. (2014). Parameters characterization and optimization of activated carbon (AC) cathodes for microbial fuel cell application. Bioresource Technology, 163, 54-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2014.03.091

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 18, 2014
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2014
• Journal: Bioresource Technology
• Print ISSN: 0960-8524
• Electronic ISSN: 1873-2976
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 163
• Pages: 54-63
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2014.03.091
• Keywords: activated carbon cathode, fabrication protocol, temperature treatment, pressure treatment, SCMFC
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/826427
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2014.03.091