Effect of types and properties of ion-exchange membrane on the performance of microbial fuel cells under different electrolyte conditions

摘要

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of types and properties of ion-exchange membrane on the performance of microbial fuel cell (MFC) fed with or without phosphate buffer (PB).Commercially available each of anion- (AMT) and cation-exchange (CMT) membranes were selected for the continuous operation of MFCs with artificial wastewater (AWW) containing 5 mM acetate and airsaturated tap water (TW) as catholyte while changing the AWW and the catholyte compositions to: (i) AWW with PB (5 mM)/TW without PB,(ii) AWW with PB (5 mM)/TW with PB (10 mM),(Ⅲ) AWW without PB/TW PB (10 mM),and (iv) AW without PB/TW without PB.Under the TW with PB as catholyte ((ii) and (Ⅲ) conditions),the MFCs with AEM (AMT) generated higher current densities than those with CEM (CMT).In the other hand,under the condition of TW without PB ((i) and (iv) conditions),the MFCs with CEM showed higher current densities than those of AEM installed.Membrane properties such as electric resistance,oxygen mass transfer rate and proton (hydroxide ion) conductivity were measured to see if these properties affect to MFC performance.MFCs operation with AEMs having a lower electric resistance showed higher current whilst no significant difference of current production with CEMs.