Performance of non-porous graphite and titanium-based anodes in microbial fuel cells

Four non-porous materials were compared for their suitability as bio-anode in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). These materials were flat graphite, roughened graphite, Pt-coated titanium, and uncoated titanium. The materials were placed in four identical MFCs, of which the anode compartments were hydraulically connected in series, as well as the cathode compartments. The MFCs were operated with four resistors. The anode kinetics at these electrode materials were studied by means of dc-voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Both techniques were compared and showed that the bio-anode performance decreased in the order roughened graphite > Pt-coated titanium > flat graphite > uncoated titanium. Uncoated titanium was unsuitable as anode material. For the other three materials, specific surface area was not the single variable explaining the differences in current density for the different materials. All polarization curves showed a clear limiting current. This limit could not be attributed to mass transfer of the substrate and reflected the maximum biomass activity. The current density of the non-porous bio-anodes, except for the uncoated titanium anode, was comparable to the reported current densities of porous materials when normalized to the projected surface area. The high current densities that were recorded by dc-voltammetry, however, could not be maintained in a stable way for a longer period. This shows that polarization curves of MFCs should be evaluated critically.