Electrode Materials and Scale-Up of Microbial Fuel Cells

4 Electrode Materials and Scale-Up of Microbial Fuel Cells 

Electrodes are one of the most critical factors governing the performance and cost of MFCs. The physicochemical properties of electrodes (e.g. surface area, electric conductivity, and chemical stability) determine the microbial attachment affinity, electron transfer efficiency, electrode ohmic resistance and the surface reaction rate. Electrodes constitute a major cost in the construction of MFCs, and determine whether the MFC is cost-effective and scalable technology, especially for wastewater treatment. The long-term stability of MFC performance is largely dependent on the durability of elec-frode maferials. 

Over fhe pasf decade, a variety of electrode materials and configurations have been explored. Generally, both the anode and cathode materials should have high electric conductivity, chemical stability, mechanical strength and low cost. Fulfilling fhese requirements, carbon-based materials and non-corrosive metals are currently most-widely used as the base electrode materials. 

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