The Implications of Membranes Used as Separators in Microbial Fuel Cells
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are electrochemical devices focused on bioenergy generation and organic matter removal carried out by microorganisms under anoxic environments. In these types of systems, the anodic oxidation reaction is catalyzed by anaerobic microorganisms, while the cathodic reduction...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2021-09-01
|
| Series: | Membranes |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/10/738 |
| _version_ | 1797513926009683968 |
|---|---|
| author | Jonathan Ramirez-Nava Mariana Martínez-Castrejón Rocío Lley García-Mesino Jazmin Alaide López-Díaz Oscar Talavera-Mendoza Alicia Sarmiento-Villagrana Fernando Rojano Giovanni Hernández-Flores |
| author_facet | Jonathan Ramirez-Nava Mariana Martínez-Castrejón Rocío Lley García-Mesino Jazmin Alaide López-Díaz Oscar Talavera-Mendoza Alicia Sarmiento-Villagrana Fernando Rojano Giovanni Hernández-Flores |
| author_sort | Jonathan Ramirez-Nava |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are electrochemical devices focused on bioenergy generation and organic matter removal carried out by microorganisms under anoxic environments. In these types of systems, the anodic oxidation reaction is catalyzed by anaerobic microorganisms, while the cathodic reduction reaction can be carried out biotically or abiotically. Membranes as separators in MFCs are the primary requirements for optimal electrochemical and microbiological performance. MFC configuration and operation are similar to those of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs)—both having at least one anode and one cathode split by a membrane or separator. The Nafion<sup>®</sup> 117 (NF-117) membrane, made from perfluorosulfonic acid, is a membrane used as a separator in PEMFCs. By analogy of the operation between electrochemical systems and MFCs, NF-117 membranes have been widely used as separators in MFCs. The main disadvantage of this type of membrane is its high cost; membranes in MFCs can represent up to 60% of the MFC’s total cost. This is one of the challenges in scaling up MFCs: finding alternative membranes or separators with low cost and good electrochemical characteristics. The aim of this work is to critically review state-of-the-art membranes and separators used in MFCs. The scope of this review includes: (i) membrane functions in MFCs, (ii) most-used membranes, (iii) membrane cost and efficiency, and (iv) membrane-less MFCs. Currently, there are at least 20 different membranes or separators proposed and evaluated for MFCs, from basic salt bridges to advanced synthetic polymer-based membranes, including ceramic and unconventional separator materials. Studies focusing on either low cost or the use of natural polymers for proton-exchange membranes (PEM) are still scarce. Alternatively, in some works, MFCs have been operated without membranes; however, significant decrements in Coulombic efficiency were found. As the type of membrane affects the performance and total cost of MFCs, it is recommended that research efforts are increased in order to develop new, more economic membranes that exhibit favorable properties and allow for satisfactory cell performance at the same time. The current state of the art of membranes for MFCs addressed in this review will undoubtedly serve as a key insight for future research related to this topic. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:24:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dd605d54dd8747b3a26edfc96c6f2fce |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-0375 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:24:27Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Membranes |
| spelling | doaj.art-dd605d54dd8747b3a26edfc96c6f2fce2023-11-22T19:05:50ZengMDPI AGMembranes2077-03752021-09-01111073810.3390/membranes11100738The Implications of Membranes Used as Separators in Microbial Fuel CellsJonathan Ramirez-Nava0Mariana Martínez-Castrejón1Rocío Lley García-Mesino2Jazmin Alaide López-Díaz3Oscar Talavera-Mendoza4Alicia Sarmiento-Villagrana5Fernando Rojano6Giovanni Hernández-Flores7Facultad de Ecología Marina, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Gran vía Tropical No 20, Fracc. Las Playas, Acapulco 39390, MexicoCentro de Ciencias de Desarrollo Regional, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Privada de Laurel No. 13, Col. El Roble, Acapulco 39640, MexicoFacultad de Ecología Marina, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Gran vía Tropical No 20, Fracc. Las Playas, Acapulco 39390, MexicoFacultad de Ecología Marina, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Gran vía Tropical No 20, Fracc. Las Playas, Acapulco 39390, MexicoEscuela Superior de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Ex Hacienda San Juan Bautista s/n, Taxco el Viejo 40323, MexicoFacultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Ambientales, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Periférico Poniente s/n, Frente a la Colonia Villa de Guadalupe, Iguala de la Independencia 40040, MexicoGus R. Douglass Institute, West Virginia State University, Institute, WV 25112, USACONACYT-Escuela Superior de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Ex Hacienda San Juan Bautista s/n, Taxco el Viejo 40323, MexicoMicrobial fuel cells (MFCs) are electrochemical devices focused on bioenergy generation and organic matter removal carried out by microorganisms under anoxic environments. In these types of systems, the anodic oxidation reaction is catalyzed by anaerobic microorganisms, while the cathodic reduction reaction can be carried out biotically or abiotically. Membranes as separators in MFCs are the primary requirements for optimal electrochemical and microbiological performance. MFC configuration and operation are similar to those of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs)—both having at least one anode and one cathode split by a membrane or separator. The Nafion<sup>®</sup> 117 (NF-117) membrane, made from perfluorosulfonic acid, is a membrane used as a separator in PEMFCs. By analogy of the operation between electrochemical systems and MFCs, NF-117 membranes have been widely used as separators in MFCs. The main disadvantage of this type of membrane is its high cost; membranes in MFCs can represent up to 60% of the MFC’s total cost. This is one of the challenges in scaling up MFCs: finding alternative membranes or separators with low cost and good electrochemical characteristics. The aim of this work is to critically review state-of-the-art membranes and separators used in MFCs. The scope of this review includes: (i) membrane functions in MFCs, (ii) most-used membranes, (iii) membrane cost and efficiency, and (iv) membrane-less MFCs. Currently, there are at least 20 different membranes or separators proposed and evaluated for MFCs, from basic salt bridges to advanced synthetic polymer-based membranes, including ceramic and unconventional separator materials. Studies focusing on either low cost or the use of natural polymers for proton-exchange membranes (PEM) are still scarce. Alternatively, in some works, MFCs have been operated without membranes; however, significant decrements in Coulombic efficiency were found. As the type of membrane affects the performance and total cost of MFCs, it is recommended that research efforts are increased in order to develop new, more economic membranes that exhibit favorable properties and allow for satisfactory cell performance at the same time. The current state of the art of membranes for MFCs addressed in this review will undoubtedly serve as a key insight for future research related to this topic.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/10/738membranesmicrobial fuel cellproton-exchange membraneseparators |
| spellingShingle | Jonathan Ramirez-Nava Mariana Martínez-Castrejón Rocío Lley García-Mesino Jazmin Alaide López-Díaz Oscar Talavera-Mendoza Alicia Sarmiento-Villagrana Fernando Rojano Giovanni Hernández-Flores The Implications of Membranes Used as Separators in Microbial Fuel Cells Membranes membranes microbial fuel cell proton-exchange membrane separators |
| title | The Implications of Membranes Used as Separators in Microbial Fuel Cells |
| title_full | The Implications of Membranes Used as Separators in Microbial Fuel Cells |
| title_fullStr | The Implications of Membranes Used as Separators in Microbial Fuel Cells |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Implications of Membranes Used as Separators in Microbial Fuel Cells |
| title_short | The Implications of Membranes Used as Separators in Microbial Fuel Cells |
| title_sort | implications of membranes used as separators in microbial fuel cells |
| topic | membranes microbial fuel cell proton-exchange membrane separators |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/10/738 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jonathanramireznava theimplicationsofmembranesusedasseparatorsinmicrobialfuelcells AT marianamartinezcastrejon theimplicationsofmembranesusedasseparatorsinmicrobialfuelcells AT rociolleygarciamesino theimplicationsofmembranesusedasseparatorsinmicrobialfuelcells AT jazminalaidelopezdiaz theimplicationsofmembranesusedasseparatorsinmicrobialfuelcells AT oscartalaveramendoza theimplicationsofmembranesusedasseparatorsinmicrobialfuelcells AT aliciasarmientovillagrana theimplicationsofmembranesusedasseparatorsinmicrobialfuelcells AT fernandorojano theimplicationsofmembranesusedasseparatorsinmicrobialfuelcells AT giovannihernandezflores theimplicationsofmembranesusedasseparatorsinmicrobialfuelcells AT jonathanramireznava implicationsofmembranesusedasseparatorsinmicrobialfuelcells AT marianamartinezcastrejon implicationsofmembranesusedasseparatorsinmicrobialfuelcells AT rociolleygarciamesino implicationsofmembranesusedasseparatorsinmicrobialfuelcells AT jazminalaidelopezdiaz implicationsofmembranesusedasseparatorsinmicrobialfuelcells AT oscartalaveramendoza implicationsofmembranesusedasseparatorsinmicrobialfuelcells AT aliciasarmientovillagrana implicationsofmembranesusedasseparatorsinmicrobialfuelcells AT fernandorojano implicationsofmembranesusedasseparatorsinmicrobialfuelcells AT giovannihernandezflores implicationsofmembranesusedasseparatorsinmicrobialfuelcells |