The Enhancement of a Microbial Fuel Cell for Electrical Output Using Mediators and Oxidizing Agents

Abstract

Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used for production of bioelectricity in a dual-chamber microbial fuel cell. Neutral red, thionine, ferric chelate, and methylene blue were utilized as an electron shuttle in the anode chamber. Yeast was directly unable to travel the produced electrons to the anode surface and needed mediators. At 200 μmol · l⁻¹ neutral red concentration, the obtained voltage, current, and power densities were 510 mV, 1,600 mA · m⁻², and 190 mW · m⁻², respectively. With the use of potassium permanganate as an oxidizing agent in the cathode chamber, the voltage, current, and power density were enhanced to 870 mV, 2,900 mA · m⁻², and 810 mW · m⁻², respectively.

Keywords:

• bioelectricity
• electron mediators
• microbial fuel cell
• neutral red
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae