Effect of long-term operation on stability and electrochemical response under water pressure for activated carbon cathodes in microbial fuel cells

Pore former decorated activated carbon cathode (PF-AC) was a new way to improve cathode oxygen reduction in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The stability and water pressure tolerance of cathode over long-term operation determined its further application. In this study, the maximum power density of MFCs with PF-AC cathodes was 16% higher than Pt/C cathode after continuously operated for 4 months. The hydrostatic pressure tests demonstrated that 4 months' operation impaired the electrochemical activity but with less degradation for PF-AC cathode. The better performance of PF-AC cathode was mainly attributed to the lower diffusion resistance which dominated the cathode activity. These results indicated the stable performance and better electrochemical response toward hydrostatic pressure of PF-AC cathode during long-term running.