Microbial fuel cells: Design and evaluation of catalysts and device

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) can convert chemical energy into electrical current by utilizing the biocatalytic microbes, capable to use a wide range of organic matters as fuel feedstocks. The MFCs can mitigate the overreliance on fossil fuels and expensive metal catalysts and reduce environmental pollution due to their near-zero carbon emission. That electrochemically active microorganism can generate protons and electrons in the anodic compartment makes them useful in energy production. In this chapter, the authors summarized the recent developments in the advanced synthesis of cathode and anode catalysts and polymeric membrane electrolytes for MFCs. The electrochemical performance and stability of the MFC devices were also evaluated and compared with published results. Our study indicated that the improvement of electrochemical performance of the MFC devices can be fulfilled using various nanoscaled electrocatalysts (particularly the cathodic catalyst) and homogeneity of the membranes. These different materials were produced using colloidal chemistry, radiofrequency deposition, and plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition. Series of materials include biota-inspired metal oxides, single atomic metals, carbon nanotubes, graphene quantum dots, and metal-organic frameworks as cathode and anode catalysts, and different formulations of modified polymer membranes as electrolytes. Based on the structural characterization and performance of the devices, we further optimize the synthesis variable to enhance the stability and reactivities of these nanocatalysts.