Journal
CHEMSUSCHEM
Volume 9, Issue 1, Pages 88-96Publisher
WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH
DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201501320
Keywords
biomass; ceramics; energy conversion; fuel cells; membranes
Funding
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation [OPP1094890]
- EPSRC [EP/L002132/1]
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation [OPP1094890] Funding Source: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council [EP/L002132/1] Funding Source: researchfish
- EPSRC [EP/L002132/1] Funding Source: UKRI
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Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) made with different types of ceramic membranes were investigated to find a low-cost alternative to commercially available proton exchange membranes. The MFCs operated with fresh human urine as the fuel. Pyrophyllite and earthenware produced the best performance to reach power densities of 6.93 and 6.85Wm(-3), respectively, whereas mullite and alumina achieved power densities of 4.98 and 2.60Wm(-3), respectively. The results indicate the dependence of bio-film growth and activity on the type of ceramic membrane applied. The most favourable conditions were created in earthenware MFCs. The performance of the ceramic membranes was related to their physical and chemical properties determined by environmental scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The cost of mullite, earthenware, pyrophyllite and alumina was estimated to be 13.61, 4.14, 387.96 and 177.03GBPm(-2), respectively. The results indicate that earthenware and mullite are good substitutes for commercially available proton exchange membranes, which makes the MFC technology accessible in developing countries.
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