Bioelectricity Generation by Single Chamber Microbial Fuel Cell by Using Platinum Catalyst as Electrode

In this study, a wet proof multiple air cathode microbial fuel cell that generates bioelectricity by biodegradation of organic matter was fabricated. In this, platinum coated (0.5 mg/cm2) carbon cloth was used as air cathode and graphite rod was used as anode. The maximum power produced by MFC was 1.65042, 0.66951, 0.425061 mW on the 2nd day of operation with 1K, 3K, 5K ohm external resistance respectively. The maximum open circuit voltage and current given by MFC was 1.557 mV and 1.06 mA respectively incorporated with 1 K ohm external resistance. It was seen that open circuit voltage (OCV) initially increases with time due to increase in microbial activity but after that there is drop in voltage possibly due to decline of available substrate for microbial population. Maximum bacterial count of 90 ×105 CFU was observed on the 3rd day of operation.