Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
7725981 | Journal of Power Sources | 2018 | 7 Pages |
Abstract
Platinum group metal-free (PGM-free) catalyst with different loadings was investigated in air breathing electrodes microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Firstly, the electrocatalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of the catalyst was investigated by rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) setup with different catalyst loadings. The results showed that higher loading led to an increased in the half wave potential and the limiting current and to a further decrease in the peroxide production. The electrons transferred also slightly increased with the catalyst loading up to the value of â3.75. This variation probably indicates that the catalyst investigated follow a 2x2eâ transfer mechanism. The catalyst was integrated within activated carbon pellet-like air-breathing cathode in eight different loadings varying between 0.1 mgcmâ2 and 10 mgcmâ2. Performance were enhanced gradually with the increase in catalyst content. Power densities varied between 90 ± 9 μWcmâ2 and 262 ± 4 μWcmâ2 with catalyst loading of 0.1 mgcmâ2 and 10 mgcmâ2 respectively. Cost assessments related to the catalyst performance are presented. An increase in catalyst utilization led to an increase in power generated with a substantial increase in the whole costs. Also a decrease in performance due to cathode/catalyst deterioration over time led to a further increase in the costs.
Keywords
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Chemistry
Electrochemistry
Authors
Carlo Santoro, Mounika Kodali, Sergio Herrera, Alexey Serov, Ioannis Ieropoulos, Plamen Atanassov,