An insight of bioelectricity production in mediator less microbial fuel cell using mesoporous Cobalt Ferrite anode

Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) are an alternative sustainable approach that utilizes the bacteria present in waste water as a bio-catalyst and produce electricity. Herein, Cobalt Ferrite (CF) is fabricated hydrothermally and deposited over graphite sheet to envision a cost-effective MFC anode. The intrinsic biocompatibility, together with mesoporous structure of CF greatly enhanced the microbial colonization. A comparative time dependent study of kinetic activity of CF/Graphite in domestic waste water and artificial waste water is reported. Electrochemical characterization (CV & EIS) indicated the process of active bio film formation on anode from day 1st to day 20th and then restricted bio film till day 30th. Improved extracellular electron transfer of exoelectrogens due to the variable valence state and high redox stability of CF, facilitated the MFC to deliver an excellent power density (1856 mW m(-2)) with the maximum anodic half-cell potential of 0.65 V in waste water. High capacitance (280%) and appropriate pore size (9.3 nm) of CF formed a capacitive bridge for an effective flow of electrons generated by the electro active bacteria. Therefore, use of noble metal free, low cost anodic material Cobalt Ferrite with long-term cell stability makes it a promising and sustainable power source for commercial application. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.