Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Waste Water Derived Electroactive Microbial Biofilms: Growth, Maintenance, and Basic Characterization
Published on: December 29, 2013
Implication of composite electrode on the functioning of photo-bioelectrocatalytic fuel cell operated with
B Navaneeth1, R Hari Prasad1, P Chiranjeevi1
1Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences (BEES), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500 007, India.
Abstract:
Electrode materials play a vital role in biofilm formation and electron conduction for efficient functioning of fuel cells. In the present study, graphite polymer composite electrode (GPF) was evaluated as anode for photo-bioelectrocatalytic fuel cell (PhFC; biophotovoltaic system) and compared with much studied graphite electrode (Gc) with photosynthetic bacteria as biocatalyst under anoxygenic condition. The electrogenic activity noticed in GPF (584mV; 2.67mA) was slightly lower than Gc (604mV; 2.92mA; OL2/HRT2). Consequently, COD removal observed by GPF (87.3%) was lower than Gc (91.8%). The increase in bacterial chlorophyll pigment showed a positive influence on electrogenic activity for both the electrodes. The polarization resistance (OL2 and HRT2 condition) was significantly higher for GPF (330Ω) as compared to Gc (110Ω). It is interesting to note that the performance of GPF is slightly lower than Gc based PhFC. The findings have opened avenues for composite materials for PhFC.
Related Concept Videos
Batteries and Fuel Cells
Anoxygenic Photosynthesis
Oxygenic Photosynthesis
Electrochemical Cells
Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs
Processes at Electrodes

