Effect of COD and H2O2 concentration on DC-MFC

The main challenges in constructing microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are the identification of materials and architectures that maximize power generation and efficiency, also minimizing the cost of fabrication. In some cases aqueous cathodes have been used to provide dissolved oxygen to the electrode. An attempt has been made to use hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in different concentrations as substitute for ferricyanide and permanganate as catholyte in DC-MFCs. It has been found that the power generation was not significantly affected by the 20%-60% and 100% concentrations while 80% concentration exhibited higher power generation. Power densities were virtually dependent on the chemical oxygen demands (CODs) as observed to be 24.56 W/m(2) for Balance substrate (7562 mg/L) against 80% H2O2. This confirms that H2O2 is a very powerful oxidizing agent between the concentrations of 70%-90%. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.