Implementation of surface modified carbon cloth electrodes with biochar particles in microbial fuel cells

Microbial fuel cells (MFC) are bioelectrochemical reactors that convert chemical energy in organic substrates to electrical energy through catalytic reactions of microorganisms. The relationship between microorganisms and electrodes plays a vital role for effective functioning of an MFC. The physica...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Wang, Chin Tsan, Sangeetha, Thangavel, Ding, De Quan, Chong, Wen Tong, Yan, Wei Mon
Format: Article
Published: Taylor & Francis 2018
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Summary:Microbial fuel cells (MFC) are bioelectrochemical reactors that convert chemical energy in organic substrates to electrical energy through catalytic reactions of microorganisms. The relationship between microorganisms and electrodes plays a vital role for effective functioning of an MFC. The physical and chemical properties of the electrodes are more crucial for a feasible MFC performance. Plain Carbon cloth (CC) and surface modified CC with four different sizes of Biochar (BC) particles such as 2 mm BC< 2, BC2-4, BC4-6, and BC6-10 were employed as anode electrodes in dual-chambered MFCs and their performance was compared. Results showed that the electrode with BC< 2 enhanced the MFC performance to with power density of 312 mWm−2 and BC6-10 facilitated the maximum COD degradation performance of 77% in the MFC both due to electrode properties like high porosity and large surface area. This study in general is a proof that BC has high feasibility for usage in MFC electrode modification studies.