Change in electrogenic activity of the microbial fuel cell (MFC) with the function of biocathode microenvironment as terminal electron accepting condition: Influence on overpotentials and bio-electro kinetics

Influence of biocathode microenvironment as terminal electron accepting process (TEAP) on the electrogenic activity of the microbial fuel cell (MFC)/bio-electrochemical system (BES) was evaluated in concurrence with the internal losses and bio-electro kinetics. Aerobic metabolism as TEAP showed power output (37.5 ± 2.7 mW/m2) for extended time (240 h) over abiotic (42.5 ± 1.5 mW/m2) electron accepting process. On the contrary, anaerobic metabolism as TEAP showed negligible power output in spite of increased retention time due to the absence of electron acceptor. Presence of strong electron acceptor conditions in aerobic metabolism facilitated gradual and stable reduction of electrons which helped to overcome the activation over potential and other potential losses. Voltammetric and amperometric analysis witnessed higher and sustainable electron discharge against the aerobic metabolism at cathode. Bio-electro kinetic analysis also showed lower Tafel slope and electron transfer co-efficient indicating the positive impact of aerobic metabolism at cathode in decreasing the internal losses.