Positive anodic poised potential regulates microbial fuel cell performance with the function of open and closed circuitry

Abstract: Positive influence of poised potential on microbial fuel cell (MFC) performance was observed with increase in the applied potential up to 600mV and decreased thereafter. Higher power output (79.33mW/m2) was observed at 600mV poised potential under open circuit operation (OC). Closed circuit operation (CC) showed almost negligible power output due to continuous electron discharge against an external load (100Ω). However, CC operation resulted in the higher substrate (chemical oxygen demand (COD)) degradation [61.23% (control); 70.46% (OC; 600mV); 74.15% (CC; 600mV)] and total dissolved solids (TDS) removal [29.17% (control); 43.75% (OC; 600mV); 72.92% (CC; 600mV)] efficiencies compared to OC. Electron discharge and energy conversion efficiency was also observed to be higher with 600mV poised potential. Poising potential showed additional redox couples (−0.29±0.05mV) on cyclic voltammetry. Application of poised potential during startup phase will help to enrich electrochemically active consortia on anode resulting in improved performance of MFC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]