Minimum interspatial electrode spacing to optimize air-cathode microbial fuel cell operation with a membrane electrode assembly.
An optimum electrode spacing of less than 1cm was determined for an air cathode microbial fuel cell (MFC) with a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) system. The lag period decreased as the electrode spacing increased and the voltage generation increased. Stable power density increased from 93 mW/m(2) to 248 mW/m(2) when the electrode distance increased from 0mm to 9 mm. In the polarization test, a maximum power density (400 mW/m(2)) was obtained at a distance of 6mm. The oxygen mass transfer coefficient (KO=4.60×10(-5) cm/s) with a 0mm spacing was five times higher than that at a 9 mm spacing (0.89×10(-5) cm/s). Long-term operation of the MFC exhibited relatively stable anode potentials of -285±25 (0 mm) and -517±20 mV (3, 6, and 9 mm) and a gradual decrease in cathode potential for all distances, especially with 0-mm spacing. The performance of air cathode MFCs can be improved using minimum electrode spacing rather than no spacing.
Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kyung Hee University, 1 Seocheon-dong, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 446-701, Republic of Korea.
Jung Mi
JM
Moon
Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kyung Hee University, 1 Seocheon-dong, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 446-701, Republic of Korea.
Sanath
S
Kondaveeti
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 609-735, Republic of Korea.
Tae Ho
TH
Lee
Department of Environmental Engineering, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, 727 Taejong-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan 606-709, Republic of Korea.
Young Chae
YC
Song
Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kyung Hee University, 1 Seocheon-dong, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 446-701, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: bkmin@khu.ac.kr.
Booki
B
Min
D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D058266:Dielectric Spectroscopy; D004058:Diffusion; D004566:Electrodes; D004867:Equipment Design; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010100:Oxygen; D062065:Wastewater
D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010100:Oxygen; D062065:Wastewater
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; Interspatial distance; Microbial fuel cell; Nafion; Oxygen mass transfer