Bioresource Technology, Vol.255, 83-87, 2018
Novel bufferless photosynthetic microbial fuel cell (PMFCs) for enhanced electrochemical performance
Photosynthetic microbial fuel cells (PMFCs) are novel bioelectrochemical transducers that employ microalgae to generate oxygen, organic metabolites and electrons. Conventional PMFCs employ non-eco-friendly membranes, catalysts and phosphate buffer solution. Eliminating the membrane, buffer and catalyst can make the MFC a practical possibility. Therefore, single chambered (SPMFC) were constructed and operated at different re-circulation flow rates (0, 40 and 240 ml/min) under bufferless conditions. Furthermore, maximum power density of 4.06 mW/m(2), current density of 46.34 mA/m(2) and open circuit potential of 0.43 V and low internal resistance of 611.8 Omega were obtained at 40 ml/min. Based on the results it was decided that SPMFC was better for operation at 40 ml/min. Therefore, these findings provided progressive insights for future pilot and industrial scale studies of PMFCs.
Keywords:Photosynthetic microbial fuel cell (PMFC);Microalgae;Bufferless;Recirculation flow;Flow straighteners