A new approach towards the development of microbial fuel cell

Abstract

The microbial fuel cell work has been conducted and focused on the catholyte newlinepart to identify different novel electron acceptors. To access the electron transport in newlinethe cathode compartment different electrochemical performances were conducted. newlineThey were analysed by cyclic voltammetry, Electrochemical impedence spectroscopy, newlineLinear sweep voltammetry and Charge-Discharge experiments. The dual electron newlinetransfer of iodine/iodide redox system enhances the performances of Microbial fuel newlinecell by increase in the generation of bioelectricity in the form of voltage output. newlineAnother work is also focused on the electrolyte part inorder to enhance the power newlineoutput from MFCs. This leads to the development of Methyl viologen diiodide as one newlineof the additive in the compartment of MFCs. This viologen additives as well as newlineiodide/iodide in the cathode compartment gives more energy in the form of power newlinedensity, capacitance as well as energy density. newlineAnother work is based on Microbial fuel cells designed and operated using newlinewaste activated sludge as a substrate and as a source of microorganisms for the anodic newlinechamber. Waste activated sludge provided a bacterial consortium predisposed to the newlinesolubilization of particulate matter and utilization of substrates commonly found in newlinewastewater. Dissolved oxygen and ferricyanide were used as the electron acceptors in newlinethe catholytes. newlineMicrobial fuel cell comparisons were made while operating under identical newlineconditions but using the two different electron acceptors. Comparisons were based on newlinethe electricity production observed during MFC operation, wastewater quality of the newlinewaste activated sludge anolytes and the community level physiological profling of the newlinemicrobial communities in the anolytes. Electrons liberated during substrate utilization newlinein the anodic chamber traveled to the cathodic chamber where they reduced the newlineelectron acceptors. newlineviii newlineThe anode and cathode chambers were connected by a Nafion proton newlineexchange membrane to allow for cation migration. Various soluble carbon sources newlinewere dosed