The use of double-sided cloth without diffusion layers as air-cathode in microbial fuel cells

摘要

The cost of electrode materials is one of the most important factors limiting the scale of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). In this study, a novel double-sided cloth (DC) without diffusion layer is using as air-cathode, which decreases the cost and simplifies electrode production process. Using Pt as catalyst, the maximum power density of MFC using DC cathode is 0.70±0.02Wm-2, which is similar to that obtained using carbon cloth (CC) cathodes (0.66 ± 0.01 W m~2). After running in stable status, the Coulombic efficiencies (CEs) (18 ± 1%) and COD removal rates (75 ± 3%) are almost the same as those of CC cathode with diffusion layers. Using carbon powder as catalyst on the DC cathode, the maximum powder density is 0.41 ±0.01 Wm-2, with a COD removal rate of 66±2% and a CE of 13.9±0.5%. The total cost of cathode based on power output decreases as follows: CC with Pt (CC-Pt, 2652$ W-1), DC with Pt (DC-Pt, 1007$ W-1) and DC with carbon powder (DC-C, 22$ W-1), showing that DC is an inexpensive and promising cathode material for future applications.