Mixed cellulose ester filter as a separator for air-diffusion cathode microbial fuel cells.

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Environmental Science
• Materials Science

Background:

• Air-diffusion cathode microbial fuel cells (MFCs) require separators to prevent bio-contamination of the catalyst layer.
• Traditional separators like Nafion membranes (NFM) can suffer from performance degradation over time.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate Mixed Cellulose Ester Filter (MCEF) as a separator in air-cathode MFCs.
• To compare the performance and long-term stability of MCEF-based MFCs against those using NFM.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an air-cathode MFC utilizing MCEF as the separator.
• Performance testing including maximum power density and long-term voltage and coulombic efficiency (CE) measurements.
• Assessment of biofouling on MCEF and NFM separators over a 60-day operational period.

Main Results:

• MCEF-MFC achieved a maximum power density of 780.7 ± 18.7 mW/m², comparable to NFM-MFC (770.9 ± 35.9 mW/m²).
• MCEF-MFC exhibited superior long-term stability, with only a 1.3% voltage decrease over 25 cycles compared to 9.1% for NFM-MFC.
• MCEF-MFC maintained stable coulombic efficiency (CE), while NFM-MFC showed a 9.12% decrease; MCEF also demonstrated less biofouling.

Conclusions:

• MCEF is a feasible and effective separator for air-diffusion cathode MFCs, offering comparable power density to NFM.
• MCEF demonstrates significantly improved long-term operational stability and reduced biofouling compared to NFM.
• MCEF presents a cost-effective alternative for developing high-performing and durable MFCs.