Gas Diffusion Electrodes Manufactured by Casting Evaluation as Air Cathodes for Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC)

Area of Science:

• Renewable Energy
• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offer a promising renewable energy source.
• Economically viable MFC technology requires cost-efficient electrode manufacturing.
• Current electrode production methods present limitations for large-scale MFC deployment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate an innovative, cost-efficient electrode manufacturing process for MFCs.
• To screen and select electrode compositions based on physicochemical properties for optimal performance.
• To evaluate the performance of fabricated electrodes as air cathodes in MFC systems.

Main Methods:

• Utilized film casting and phase inversion techniques for electrode fabrication.
• Screened electrode compositions based on physicochemical properties, focusing on hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance.
• Tested electrodes as air cathodes in both half-cell and full MFC configurations.

Main Results:

• Achieved a dual hydrophilic-hydrophobic character in the active layer (ε_hydrophilic up to 10%, ε_TOTAL 65-75 wt %).
• Demonstrated reduction currents up to -0.14 mA·cm^-2 at -100 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) in cathode half-cell tests.
• Observed a maximum power density of 380 mW·m^-2 in a full MFC setup at 100 Ω external load.

Conclusions:

• The developed film casting and phase inversion method is a viable approach for cost-efficient MFC electrode manufacturing.
• The selected electrode compositions exhibit promising performance as air cathodes for MFC applications.
• This advancement contributes to the economic feasibility and practical implementation of MFC technology for renewable energy generation.