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A Comprehensive Study of Custom-Made Ceramic Separators for Microbial Fuel Cells: Towards “Living” Bricks

Author

Listed:
  • Jiseon You

    (Bristol BioEnergy Centre, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK)

  • Lauren Wallis

    (Bristol BioEnergy Centre, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK)

  • Nevena Radisavljevic

    (Laboratory for Artificial Biology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Povo TN, Italy)

  • Grzegorz Pasternak

    (Laboratory for Artificial Biology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Povo TN, Italy
    Laboratory of Microbial Electrochemical Systems, Department of Polymer and Carbonaceous Materials, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wyb. Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland)

  • Vincenzo M. Sglavo

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy)

  • Martin M Hanczyc

    (Laboratory for Artificial Biology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Povo TN, Italy)

  • John Greenman

    (Bristol BioEnergy Centre, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK)

  • Ioannis Ieropoulos

    (Bristol BioEnergy Centre, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK)

Abstract

Towards the commercialisation of microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology, well-performing, cost-effective, and sustainable separators are being developed. Ceramic is one of the promising materials for this purpose. In this study, ceramic separators made of three different clay types were tested to investigate the effect of ceramic material properties on their performance. The best-performing ceramic separators were white ceramic-based spotty membranes, which produced maximum power outputs of 717.7 ± 29.9 µW (white ceramic-based with brown spots, 71.8 W·m −3 ) and 715.3 ± 73.0 µW (white ceramic-based with red spots, 71.5 W·m −3 ). For single material ceramic types, red ceramic separator generated the highest power output of 670.5 ± 64. 8 µW (67.1 W·m −3 ). Porosity investigation revealed that white and red ceramics are more porous and have smaller pores compared to brown ceramic. Brown ceramic separators underperformed initially but seem more favourable for long-term operation due to bigger pores and thus less tendency of membrane fouling. This study presents ways to enhance the function of ceramic separators in MFCs such as the novel spotty design as well as fine-tuning of porosity and pore size.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiseon You & Lauren Wallis & Nevena Radisavljevic & Grzegorz Pasternak & Vincenzo M. Sglavo & Martin M Hanczyc & John Greenman & Ioannis Ieropoulos, 2019. "A Comprehensive Study of Custom-Made Ceramic Separators for Microbial Fuel Cells: Towards “Living” Bricks," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:21:p:4071-:d:280226
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Trapero, Juan R. & Horcajada, Laura & Linares, Jose J. & Lobato, Justo, 2017. "Is microbial fuel cell technology ready? An economic answer towards industrial commercialization," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P1), pages 698-707.
    2. Oliot, Manon & Galier, Sylvain & Roux de Balmann, Hélène & Bergel, Alain, 2016. "Ion transport in microbial fuel cells: Key roles, theory and critical review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 1682-1704.
    3. Bajracharya, Suman & Sharma, Mohita & Mohanakrishna, Gunda & Dominguez Benneton, Xochitl & Strik, David P.B.T.B. & Sarma, Priyangshu M. & Pant, Deepak, 2016. "An overview on emerging bioelectrochemical systems (BESs): Technology for sustainable electricity, waste remediation, resource recovery, chemical production and beyond," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 153-170.
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    1. Jadhav, Dipak A. & Park, Sung-Gwan & Eisa, Tasnim & Mungray, Arvind K. & Madenli, Evrim Celik & Olabi, Abdul-Ghani & Abdelkareem, Mohammad Ali & Chae, Kyu-Jung, 2022. "Current outlook towards feasibility and sustainability of ceramic membranes for practical scalable applications of microbial fuel cells," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).

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