Oxygenic phototrophic biofilms for improved cathode performance in microbial fuel cells

Walter, X. Alexis; Ieropoulos, Ioannis A.; Walter, Xavier Alexis; Ieropoulos, Ioannis; Greenman, John

Abstract

The rate of oxygen reduction reaction in the cathodic chambers of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is a typical limiting aspect of its performance. Recently, research on biocathodes has gained more interest as it allows circumventing the utilisation of exogenous and unstable mediators at a lower cost. It is shown here that the growth of oxygenic phototrophs as a biofilm, increases the current output by two fold. This was possible by forcing the biofilm to grow onto the cathode, thus, producing the oxygen directly where it was consumed. This enhancement of the cathodic efficiency was stable for over 30. days. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jul 1, 2013
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 7, 2019
• Journal: Algal Research
• Print ISSN: 2211-9264
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 2
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 183-187
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2013.02.002
• Keywords: microbial fuel cell, biocathode, oxygenic photosynthesis, biofilm
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/930681
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2013.02.002