Accelerated start-up of two-chambered microbial fuel cells: Effect of anodic positive poised potential

The acclimation of anode-respiring bacteria (ARB) played a key role in starting up a microbial fuel cell (MFC). Conventionally, spontaneous colonization was employed in this process. Descript here is an investigation of decreasing the start-up time by applying an anodic positive poised potential. During start-up period, the maximal current output increased from 0.42 to 3 mA since the anode potential was poised at +200 mV versus Ag/AgCl, which was due to the increase of driving force of substrate oxidation. A higher voltage output and a lower charge transfer resistance analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were observed, showing that applied potential could increase the electrochemical activity of anodic microbiota during start-up period. The MFC with anodic positive poised potential need 35 days to obtain a similar current output in two consecutive circles, which was 24 days faster than that of the control MFC operated under 1000 Ω. When both MFCs were started up, no difference on performance was observed.