Preliminary results in the manufacture of anodic electrodes for potential use in microbial fuel cells

Abstract

Microbial fuel cells are a bioelectrochemical technology that uses different types of waste as fuel sources to generate sustainable and environmentally friendly electricity. Various MFCs have been developed, with the electrode used being a crucial problem due to its high manufacturing cost. This research shows that electrodes can be manufactured quickly and economically using activated carbon (100 g), sugar (80 g), ethanol (250 ml), and pine resin (200 g). For its demonstration, grape waste was used in a single-chamber MFC for 35 days. The manufactured electrode generated a Rint. of 18.471 ± 2.475 Ω, whose current density was 8.348 ±0.768 mW/cm2 at a current density of 5.166 A/cm2. The electrical potential shown was 0.889 ± 0.017 V and 4.571 ± 0.061 mA, with an ORPmax of 81.495 ± 1.874 mV, operating at a pH of 7.26 ±0.19. The micrographs made by scanning electron microscopy showed porous surfaces with carbonaceous substances in the final monitoring stage. These preliminary results showed excellent performance of the electrodes, showing their potential for use in MFCs in an economical way.