Application of anion exchange ionomer for oxygen reduction catalysts in microbial fuel cells

Yu, Eileen Hao; Burkitt, Richard; Wang, Xu; Scott, Keith

doi:10.1016/j.elecom.2012.05.011

Cited by 22 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…In particular, the cathode electrode requires efficient catalysts to catalyze the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) to achieve maximum power generation. This can be done by addition of chemical catalysts to the electrode support , such as precious metals, metal oxides or metal porphyrins , or by using the carbon support itself as the catalyst , , which can also be chemically modified to enhance ORR activity. However, chemical catalysts are costly and can degrade over time, whilst carbon materials can degrade over time due to peroxide formation from 2‐electron transfer ORR .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Oxygen Mass Transfer on Aerobic Biocathode Performance, Biofilm Growth and Distribution in Microbial Fuel Cells

Milner

2018

Fuel Cells

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Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a sustainable technology for the direct conversion of biodegradable organics in wastewater into electricity. In most MFCs, the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is used as the cathode reduction reaction. Aerobic biocathodes, which use bacteria as biocatalysts to catalyze the cathode ORR, provide self‐sustained, robust and highly active alternatives to chemical catalysts. However, further study of the effect of oxygen mass transfer to the biofilm and cathode materials design is needed. In the current work, two aerobic biocathodes were enriched in half‐cells, and oxygen mass transfer to the biofilm and the biofilm distribution in the porous electrode structure were investigated. It was found that mass transfer of oxygen to the aerobic biocathode was a significant factor affecting cathode ORR, evidenced by a strong correlation between the air flow rate and current. Additionally, it was found that the biofilm penetrates between 20–30% into the porous carbon electrode structure, which is likely due to oxygen mass transfer limitations. The performance of a MFC with biocatalysts at both anode and cathode (64 µW cm−2 peak power at an air flowrate of 1 L min−1) showed strong correlation with air flowrate, confirming the observation in the half‐cell system.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Oxygen Mass Transfer on Aerobic Biocathode Performance, Biofilm Growth and Distribution in Microbial Fuel Cells

Milner

2018

Fuel Cells

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“…Membrane separators are used in most MFCs to separate anode and cathode chambers and keep anaerobic conditions at anode. Nafion was used in the earlier MFC research, however, due to high cost of Nafion, alternative lower cost materials, such as anion exchange membranes polymers 17, battery separator 18, ceramics 19, have been widely investigated.…”

Section: Research and Development On Microbial Fuel Cellsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Harvesting Energy using Biocatalysts

Yu¹

2016

Fuel Cells

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“…Anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) that utilize alkaline anion exchange membranes (AAEMs) have recently been attracting increasing attention not only because of the enhanced reaction kinetics for both the fuel oxidation and oxygen reductions, but also due to the improved stability and durability of the catalysts in alkaline media [1][2][3][4]. As a key component of AEMFCs, an alkaline ionomer is needed to form the ion transport pathways between the reaction sites in the catalyst layer and the membrane.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%