Performances of metallic (sole, composite) and non-metallic anodes to harness power in sediment microbial fuel cells

Abstract

One chambered sediment microbial fuel cell (SMFC) was equipped with Fe, brass (Cu/Zn), Fe/Zn, Cu, Cu/carbon cloth and graphite felt anode. Graphite felt was used as common cathode. The SMFC was membrane-less and mediator-less as well. Order of anodic performance on the basis of power density was Fe/Zn (6.90 Wm-2) > Fe (6.03 Wm-2) > Cu/carbon cloth (2.13 Wm-2) > Cu (1.13 Wm-2) > brass (Cu/Zn=0.24 Wm-2) > graphite felt (0.10 Wm-2). Fe/Zn composite anode have twisted 6.73% more power than Fe alone, Cu/carbon cloth boosted power production by 65%, and brass (Cu/Zn) produced 65% less power than Cu alone. Graphite felt have shown the lowest electricity generation because of its poor galvanic potential. The estuarine sediment served as supplier of oxidants or electron producing microbial flora, which evoked electrons via a complicated direct microbial electron transfer mechanism or making biofilm, respectively. Oxidation reduction was kept to be stationary over time except at the very initial period (mostly for sediment positioning) at anodes. Based on these findings, cost effective and efficient anodic material can be suggested for better SMFC configurations and stimulate towards practical value and application. ? 2014 Korean Society of Environmental Engineers.