Inoculation procedures and characterization of membrane electrode assemblies for microbial fuel cells

Membrane electrode assemblies were prepared following procedures adopted in the fabrication of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel fells and used in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) with Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 as a single culture and sodium lactate as the electron donor. Improved inoculation procedures were developed and fuel cell performance with the biofilm density of microbes over the anode is discussed. A novel procedure to condition the membrane is also presented. Polarization measurements were carried out and power density plots were generated. Power density values of 300 mW m−2 are typically obtained while a maximum value of 600 mW m−2 is demonstrated indicating good performance for a single cell culture.