19.3 Application of Microbial Fuel Cell to the Social Relevance

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Pt, catalysts become more responsible for fouling. Numerous research attempts have

been examined to minimize the cost of cathode catalysts by using effective or cheap

material. An attempt has been examined for cathode catalyst material, which is

made of metal porphyrines and pthalocyanines supported on Ketjenblack carbon.

The investigation explains the rate of oxygen reduction in MFC along with catalytic

activity. Since, the transition metal of macro cyclic catalysts is cheap and can be

fruitfully applied to practical applications of MFC.

19.2.1.2

Proton Exchange Membrane

Membrane is one of the most important parts of MFC. It is used to split up protons

from the anode to cathode chamber. The foremost objective of membrane is (i) divid-

ing the chamber; (ii) transfer the H⁺; (iii) to reduce oxygen diffusion in anode cham-

ber; (iv) increase the efficiency of electricity production; and (v) maintain longtime

operation terms. A majority of MFC operations uses nafion as membrane because

of its high proton conductivity. The difficulty in using nafion membrane as MFCs is

that they can cause contamination and more deluxe. Tainted can decrease the proton

transport from electroplate to the photo electronic and increase internal resistance

of MFC which decreases power output.

The membrane causes potential internal resistance that leads to minimization

of power production. Plenty of investigations were carried out in the past and

discovered an alternative for nafion membrane as salt bridge [18], porcelain

septum, interpolymer cation exchange membrane [19], microporous filter, physical

barriers, and sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK) [20]. The abovementioned

are different types of membranes for proton transfer systems. The membrane while

performing in MFC will be permeable to chemicals, substrates which are present in

the system. In the current scenario, the membrane market is persistently increasing

and needs more research or studies for the performance of membrane and longtime

stability [21].

19.3

Application of Microbial Fuel Cell to the Social

Relevance

MFC is a promising technology for the following fields in our society and helps to

make sustainable development of environment.

19.3.1

Electricity Generation

Through catalytic action of microorganisms, MFC can convert the chemical energy

into electrical energy. The research on MFCs tilted as bioelectricity production has

taken away bountiful wastes since 1988. A comparison between dual chambered

and single chambered fuel cells showed that the electricity produced in the last

one is high for the same value of voltage. Four cells were connected into one block

and tested with plain graphite electrodes. MFCs are the promising devices that can

produce electricity by anaerobic fermentation of organic or inorganic matter from