Functionalized conductive activated carbon-polyaniline composite anode for augmented energy recovery in microbial fuel cells

Internal resistance is one of the limiting factors for power production in microbial fuel cells (MFC). To overcome this, current study designed polyaniline functionalized activated carbon (PANi-FAC) composite as capacitive anode with strategic electrocatalytic capability, and was comparatively assessed with SSM-PANi and bare SSM as anodes in three double chambered MFCs respectively. Power output and COD removal efficiency of PANi-FAC coated on stainless steel mesh (SSM-PANi/FAC) is superior (322 mW/m(2); 87.6%) in comparison to SSM-PANi (273 mW/m(2); 62.4%) and bare SSM (169 mW/m(2); 54%). In addition, maximum specific capacitance of hybrid electrodes is relatively high with SSM-PANi/FAC (360.84 F/g) than SSM-PANi anode (128.26 F/g). Nyquist impedance plots showed less charge-transfer resistance (Rct) with SSM-PANi/FAC (29.9 Omega) than SSMPANi (206.8 Omega) and SSM anodes (678 Omega). Study infers that, development of electrochemical double layer capacitance makes SSM-PANi/FAC, a potential capacitive anode for augmenting bio-electrocatalytic activity and reducing Ohmic losses.

Automated summary

The study designed a polyaniline functionalized activated carbon composite as a capacitive anode in microbial fuel cells, which showed superior power output and COD removal efficiency compared to other anodes. The hybrid electrodes have higher specific capacitance and lower charge-transfer resistance, making them a potential capacitive anode for enhancing bio-electrocatalytic activity and reducing Ohmic losses.