Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are an emerging technology capable of sustainable wastewater treatment. A significant impediment to their widespread adoption is a low power density.  This can, in part, be addressed by the use of tailored anode materials. A suitable anode should have an open, porous structure with a large bioaccessible surface area for extensive biofilm formation and efficient nutrient transport. This investigation considers the use of activated carbon nanofiber nonwovens (ACNFN) as a novel anode for MFCs.  ACNFN has an ultra-thin, porous structure with large bioaccessible surface area. ACNFN was fabricated by pyrolysis of electrospun polyacrylonitrile and subsequent steam activation. Preliminary tests in a single chamber MFC showed current densities of 2715 A/m3 which is about 10% greater than the highest maximum obtained so far, with a conductivity of only one fifth that of the corresponding material. The performance of ACNFN was also compared to that of two commonly-used anodes.

Activated carbon nanofiber anodes for microbial fuel cells

244th National Meeting (2012)

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