A graphite-granule membrane-less tubular air-cathode microbial fuel cell for power generation under continuously operational conditions

An air-cathode microbial fuel cell (MFC) is an efficient and sustainable MFC configuration for recovering electrical energy from organic substances. In this paper, we developed a graphite-granule anode, tubular air-cathode MFC (GTMFC) capable of continuous electricity generation from glucose-based substrates. This GTMFC produced a maximum volumetric power of 50.2 W m−3 at current density of 216 A m−3 (REX = 22 Ω). Electrochemistry impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements demonstrated an overall internal resistance of 27 Ω, consisting of ohmic resistance of Rohm = 13.8 Ω (51.1%), a charge-transfer resistance of Rc = 6.1 Ω (22.6%) and a diffusion resistance of Rd = 7.2 Ω (26.3%). Power generation with respect to initial chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration was described well by an exponential saturation model. Recirculation was to found to have a significant effect on electrochemical performance at low COD concentrations, while such effect was absent at high COD concentrations. This study suggests a feasible and simple method to reduce internal resistance and improve power generation of sustainable air-cathode MFCs.