Comparing the short and long term stability of biodegradable, ceramic and cation exchange membranes in microbial fuel cells

Chambers, Lily D.; Winfield, Jonathan; Chambers, Lily; Rossiter, Jonathan; Ieropoulos, Ioannis

Abstract

The long and short-term stability of two porous dependent ion exchange materials; starch-based compostable bags (BioBag) and ceramic, were compared to commercially available cation exchange membrane (CEM) in microbial fuel cells. Using bi-directional polarisation methods, CEM exhibited power overshoot during the forward sweep followed by significant power decline over the reverse sweep (38%). The porous membranes displayed no power overshoot with comparably smaller drops in power during the reverse sweep (ceramic 8%, BioBag 5.5%). The total internal resistance at maximum power increased by 64% for CEM compared to 4% (ceramic) and 6% (BioBag). Under fixed external resistive loads, CEM exhibited steeper pH reductions than the porous membranes. Despite its limited lifetime, the BioBag proved an efficient material for a stable microbial environment until failing after 8 months, due to natural degradation. These findings highlight porous separators as ideal candidates for advancing MFC technology in terms of cost and operation stability. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2013
• Journal: Bioresource Technology
• Print ISSN: 0960-8524
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 148
• Pages: 480-486
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2013.08.163
• Keywords: microbial fuel cell, power overshoot, proton exchange membrane, biodegradation, ceramic
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/926531
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2013.08.163