The use of double-sided cloth without diffusion layers as air-cathode in microbial fuel cells

The cost of electrode materials is one of the most important factors limiting the scale of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). In this study, a novel double-sided cloth (DC) without diffusion layer is using as air-cathode, which decreases the cost and simplifies electrode production process. Using Pt as catalyst, the maximum power density of MFC using DC cathode is 0.70 ± 0.02 W m⁻², which is similar to that obtained using carbon cloth (CC) cathodes (0.66 ± 0.01 W m⁻²). After running in stable status, the Coulombic efficiencies (CEs) (18 ± 1%) and COD removal rates (75 ± 3%) are almost the same as those of CC cathode with diffusion layers. Using carbon powder as catalyst on the DC cathode, the maximum powder density is 0.41 ± 0.01 W m⁻², with a COD removal rate of 66 ± 2% and a CE of 13.9 ± 0.5%. The total cost of cathode based on power output decreases as follows: CC with Pt (CC-Pt, 2652$ W⁻¹), DC with Pt (DC-Pt, 1007$ W⁻¹) and DC with carbon powder (DC-C, 22$ W⁻¹), showing that DC is an inexpensive and promising cathode material for future applications.