Abstract :
The performance of microbial fuel cells can be enhanced by several factors including its resistance to
impact. This resistance is determined from both the proton mass and the weak cathode caused by the
oxygen reduction reaction. This is due to the protons in the aqueous phase of the transport rate being very
slow and remaining in the hollow fiber reactor. This helps to improve the proton transfer as well as
minimize the resistance. Cathodic oxygen also assists in the reduction reaction and the concentration of
dissolved oxygen works toward a unipolar response relationship. This means that when placed along with
a cathode, they can improve the aerobic performance of microbial fuel cells. It also matters which
additives are placed within the MFC. Adding fertilizer and molasses increased MFC performance by an
average of 45 and 38% respectively while table salt decreased electric production by 23% over a period of
several weeks.
Keyword :
Microbial fuel cells, electron acceptors, cellular respiration, oxidation reduction reactions, ion exchange membranes, molasses, fertilizer, salt