Development of a tubular microbial fuel cell (MFC)employing a membrane electrode assembly cathode 

 -  Journal of Power Sources, 187(2), p.393-399, 2009 .
<br/><br/> Tubular microbial fuel cells (MFC)with air cathode might be amenable to scale-up but with increasing volume a mechanically robust, cost-effective cathode structure is required. Membrane electrode assemblies (MEA)are investigated in a tubular MFC using cost-effective cation (CEM)or anion (AEM)exchange membrane. The MEA fabrication mechanically combines a cathode electrode with the membrane between a perforated cylindrical polypropylene shell and tube. Hydrogel application between membrane and cathode increases cathode potential by ¡«100mV over a 0¨C5.5mA range in a CEM-MEA. Consequently, 6.1Wm.3 based on reactor liquid volume (200 cm3)are generated compared with 5Wm.3 without hydrogel. Cathode potential is also improved in AEM-MEA using hydrogel. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS)to compare MEA¡¯s performance suggests reduced impedance and enhanced membrane¨Ccathode contact areawhenusing hydrogel. Themaximumcoulombic efficiency observed with CEM-MEA is 71 
<br/><br/><label>Subjects--Topical Terms: </label><br/>MICROBIAL FUEL CELL<br/>MEMBRANE ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY<br/>TUBULAR<br/>IMPEDANCE SPECTROSCOPY<br/>ION EXCHANGE MEMBRANE<br/>ELECTRO-OSMOTIC DRAG