Characterization of a microbial fuel cell with reticulated carbon foam electrodes

► Reticulated vitreous carbon is tested as electrode material in a microbial fuel cell. ► Good stability and robustness of the biofilm to feeding risks are found. ► The power density is 40 W/m3, limited by cathode overpotentials. ► Impedance spectrometry reveals the complex nature of the phenomena. ► Oxygen diffusion at the cathode is modeled by a Warburg element.