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Using a glass fiber separator in a single-chamber air-cathode microbial fuel cell shortens start-up time and improves
Xiaoyuan Zhang1, Peng Liang, Juan Shi
1State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, THU-VEOLIA Environment Joint Research Center for Advanced Environmental Technology, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China.
Abstract:
A shorter start-up time and highly negative anode potentials are needed to improve single-chamber air-cathode microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Using a glass fiber separator reduced the start-up time from 10d to 8d at 20°C, and from 4d to 2d at 30°C, and enhanced coulombic efficiency (CE) from <60% to 89% (20°C) and 87% (30°C). Separators also reduced anode potentials by 20-190mV, charge transfer resistances by 76% (20°C) and 19% (30°C), and increased CV peak currents by 24% (20°C) and 8% (30°C) and the potential range for redox activity (-0.55 to 0.10mV vs. -0.49 to -0.24mV at 20°C). Using a glass fiber separator in an air-cathode MFC, combined with inoculation at a mesophilic temperature, are excellent strategies to shorten start-up time and to enhance anode performance and CE.
