Bioelectricity production by air cathode microbial fuel cell

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are an actual biochemical system; electricity is generated via oxidation of biodegradable organic matter in the presence of active biocatalyst. The active biocatalyst or enzyme can generate electrons (e^-) and protons (H⁺) from organic substrate. The generated electrons are transferred by anode to cathode through an external circuit. In the cathode compartment protons have to diffuse and react with oxygen to liberate water molecules. Air cathode microbial fuel cell is one type of MFC that has simple structure and low cost in compare to dual chamber of MFC. Effect of Pt presence to air side and anode solution side is investigated. Maximum generated power when that Pt loading side was faced to anode solution was 74.305 mW.m^-2. When Pt loading side is faced to air, the maximum generated power was 49.68 mW.m^-2. The obtained data demonstrated that Pt side has important role on MFC performances. Effect of pH on MFC behavior also considered. Tafel equation was used to prediction of MFC behavior.