Fabrication and Performance of a Microbial Fuel Cell: Utilization of Modified Nafion Membrane with Carbon Powder as Separator and Bio-Anode

Mustapha Abdeldjabar Charef (Laboratoryof Physico-Chemistry of Materials, Catalysis, and Environment, University of Sciences and Technology of Oran-Mohammed-Boudiaf, M’Nouar, BP 1505, Oran, Algeria)
Hakima Kebaili (University HassibaBenbouali of Chlef, B.P. 78C, Ouled Fares Chlef 02180, Algeria)
Mostefa Kameche (University HassibaBenbouali of Chlef, B.P. 78C, Ouled Fares Chlef 02180, Algeria)
Christophe Innocent (European Institute of Membranes, University of Montpellier, CC 047, Place Eugene Battalion, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France)

Indonesian Journal of Chemistry
Vol 21, No 2 (2021)

A Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) was conceived by using garden soil as a source to culture. It was then utilized as a bio-catalyst to decompose waste organic matter, reduce pollution from the soil, and produce energies. The MFC was composed of a bio-anode inoculated with a mixture of garden compost leachate and an abiotic stainless steel cathode. Besides, the bio-anode consisted of a Nafion membrane modified with carbon. The microorganisms agglomerated under polarization and formed electroactive bio-film onto bio-anode. In the preliminary test of MFC, potassium hexacyanoferrate has been utilized as catholyte, to enhance the reduction of proton and electrons resulting in a higher voltage. However, this electrolyte is toxic and oxidized rapidly, thus substituted by the hydrochloric acid. The results showed that the MFC with modified Nafion, gave relatively high current-density 379 mA/m2 in two days, whereas the conventional biofuel cell without modification attained the current-density 292 mA/m2 in four days. Nevertheless, both cells yielded almost the same current density of 20 mA/m2 during 60 days. Although it has been used for a long time, the modified Nafion has not been corroded and preserved its physicochemical properties.