The impact statement of the performance by changing microbial fuel cells' structure

Abstract

Microbial fuel cells (MFC) produce electricity using electron and hydrogen which are emitted from microorganisms. This technology has been promised to be used mainly in sewage treatment facilities. But when it comes to practical using, MFC has low power densities so that it is difficult to use as the power source. We modified the cathode structure to improve MFC's performance. In this study, we tested four kinds of PEM (Nafion®), which are different thickness. Also we supplied oxygen to cathode GDL to examine the relation with oxygen flow rate and PEM. The results showed relatively low flow rates had better better performance than high flow rates. Excess oxygen supply might cause drying of the surface of the membrane, which might prevent proton conduction. This tendency was confirmed in all membranes. Although excess oxygen supply was not good for MFC, it showed better performance than air breathing MFC.