Different forms of carbon material electrodes applicability in microbial fuel cells

Darba mērķis bija novērtēt grafīta, grafēna un grafēna-PLA kompozīta elektrodu pielietojamību MFC. Darbā konstruētas 8 sendviču tipa šūnas ar agara tiltiņu un 8 šūnas ar Nafion212 membrānu. 8 šūnas darbojās ar ezera dūņām, 8 ar P. aeruginosa tīrkultūru. MFC mērītas polarizācijas līknes un iegūts maksimālais jaudas blīvuma parametrs. Maksimālo MFC jaudas blīvumu uzrādīja 3D printēta grafēna-PLA, Nafiona212 un P. aeruginosa kombinācija – attiecīgi 35,8 mW/m2. Grafēna-PLA elektrodu voltametrija uzrādīja sliktākas elektroķīmiskās īpašības, nekā grafītam. Tomēr MFC šūnās elektrodi strādāja tikpat labi un labāk kā grafīts, kas norāda uz labāku biosaderību. Darbs izstrādāts periodā no 2015. gada decembra līdz 2016. gada maijam LU BF Mikrobioloģijas un biotehnoloģijas katedrā un LU CFI.The aim of this work was to evaluate graphite, graphene and graphene-PLA based electrodes usability in MFC. In this work 8 MFC sandwich- type cells with agar-salt bridge and 8 with Nafion212 membrane were designed. 8 cells worked with lake sediments, 8 with P.aeruginosa pure culture. MFC polarization curves were measured and maximal current density points were acquired. 3D printed graphene-PLA electrode, Nafion212 and P. aeruginosa combination showed best current density – 35,8 mW/m2. Graphene-PLA electrode voltammetry showed poor electrochemical property compared to graphite. But electrodes in MFC worked just as well and better than graphite that indicates to better biocompatibility. The work was developed during the period from December 2015 to May 2016, in University of Latvia, Faculty of Biology, Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology and in Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia. Key words: microbial fuel cells (MFC), lake sediments, P. aeruginosa, PLA, graphene