[Enhanced Performance of Rolled Membrane Electrode Assembly by Adding Cation Exchange Resin to Anode in Microbial...

The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with an anode-membrane-cathode structure ban reduce the distance between anode and cathode to improve the power of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Here in order to further promote the performance of MFCs, a novel MEA was constructed by rolling-press method without noble metal material, and the Ohmic resistance decreased to 3-5 Ω. The maximum power density was 446 mW x m(-2) when acetate was used as the substrate. Solid spheres (like polystyrene balls and glass microspheres) were added into anode to enhance the transportation of electrolyte to cathode, resulting in a 10% increase in power density by producing macropores on and in the anode during rolling process. Cation exchange resin was added to accelerate the transportation of proton through the anode so that the power density further increased to 543 mW x m(-2). Meanwhile, the stability of cell voltage and Coulomb efficiency of MFC were both enhanced after the addition of cation exchange resin.