Parameters characterization and optimization of activated carbon (AC) cathodes for microbial fuel cell application.
Activated carbon (AC) is employed as a cost-effective catalyst for cathodic oxygen reduction in microbial fuel cells (MFC). The fabrication protocols of AC-based cathodes are conducted at different applied pressures (175-3500 psi) and treatment temperatures (25-343°C). The effects of those parameters along with changes in the surface morphology and chemistry on the cathode performances are comprehensively examined. The cathodes are tested in a three-electrode setup and explored in single chamber membraneless MFCs (SCMFCs). The results show that the best performance of the AC-based cathode is achieved when a pressure of 1400 psi is applied followed by heat treatment of 150-200°C for 1h. The influence of the applied pressure and the temperature of the heat treatment on the electrodes and SCMFCs is demonstrated as the result of the variation in the transfer resistance, the surface morphology and surface chemistry of the AC-based cathodes tested.
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; C2E2 - Center for Clean Energy Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; Department of Chemical & Nuclear Engineering, Center for Emerging Energy Technologies, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
Carlo
C
Santoro
Department of Chemical & Nuclear Engineering, Center for Emerging Energy Technologies, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
Kateryna
K
Artyushkova
Department of Chemical & Nuclear Engineering, Center for Emerging Energy Technologies, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
Sofia
S
Babanova
Department of Chemical & Nuclear Engineering, Center for Emerging Energy Technologies, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
Plamen
P
Atanassov
Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of Bristol and University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Bristol BS16 1QY, United Kingdom.
Ioannis
I
Ieropoulos
Politecnico di Milano, Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering, Via Mancinelli, 20133 Milan, Italy; RSE - Ricerca sul Sistema Energetico S.p.A., Environment and Sustainable Development Department, Via Rubattino 54, 20100 Milan, Italy.
Matteo
M
Grattieri
RSE - Ricerca sul Sistema Energetico S.p.A., Environment and Sustainable Development Department, Via Rubattino 54, 20100 Milan, Italy.
Pierangela
P
Cristiani
Università degli Studi di Milano, Department of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Via Golgi 19, 20133 Milan, Italy.
Stefano
S
Trasatti
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; C2E2 - Center for Clean Energy Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA. Electronic address: baikun@engr.uconn.edu.
Baikun
B
Li
Department of Civil Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA. Electronic address: schuler@unm.edu.
Andrew J
AJ
Schuler
D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D004566:Electrodes; D056951:Photoelectron Spectroscopy; D016062:Porosity; D011312:Pressure; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D013696:Temperature
D002244:Carbon
Activated carbon cathode; Fabrication protocol; Pressure treatment; SCMFC; Temperature treatment