Influence of terminal electron acceptor availability to the anodic oxidation on the electrogenic activity of microbial fuel cell (MFC)

The electrogenic activity of microbial fuel cell (MFC) with the function of anode placement from the terminal electron acceptor (TEA) was evaluated. Shorter anode distances from TEA showed higher electrogenesis due to the feasibility of higher electron acceptance as well as their discharge towards TEA. Substrate degradation was also higher at shorter anode placements from TEA due to the optimum substrate availability to the anodic biofilm. Bio-electro kinetics showed significant variation in the catalytic currents and exchange current densities with the function of anode placement indicating its role in electron acceptance and their transfer to the cathode. Anode placement of 3 cm showed higher electrogenesis (406.38 mW/m(2)) and substrate degradation (63.12%) along with significantly reduced polarization (6.72 Omega) and charge transfer resistances compared to other anodic placements. The spacing between electrodes is crucial in accepting electrons as well as their discharge towards TEA which ultimately governs the power generation efficacy. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.