Power generation using a low-cost sulfated zirconium oxide based cathode in single chamber microbial fuel cells

SZrO2 was used as the cathodic catalyst in a microbial fuel cell (MFC) using phosphate buffer solution and sodium acetate as fuel. The maximum current density and power density recorded are 4220 (mA m−2) and 1079 (mW m−2), respectively. These values are better than those obtained using Pt/C (2539 mA m−2 and 662 mW m−2). Good performances were also reached with a platinum-free cathode based on SZrO2 supported on Vulcan (1420 mA m−2 and 536 mW m−2), demonstrating that these catalysts can be used as substitutes for commercial Pt/C.