Selectivity versus mobility: separation of anode and cathode in microbial bioelectrochemical systems.

During the operation of a microbial bioelectrochemical system, charge balance must be maintained between the anode and the cathode. In an ideal scenario, the charge balance would be realized by the unhindered migration of H(+) or OH(-). At the same time, any kind of diffusion (crossover) between both electrode compartments should be avoided. However, as several studies have demonstrated, the experimental reality does not match this ideal picture. Crossover processes occur and H(+)/OH(-) migration only plays an inferior role in the charge-balancing ion transfer, which results in significant losses in the performance of the microbial bioelectrochemical system. This Minireview summarizes the conflict of selectivity versus mobility and discusses principle strategies to cope with the resulting constraints, including pH-static operation and the use of different separator materials and membrane-free systems. Finally, we show that every setup compromises either selectivity or mobility, and no apparent ideal solution currently exists.

[1]  B. Little,et al.  A MINIATURE MICROBIAL FUEL CELL OPERATING WITH AN AEROBIC ANODE CHAMBER , 2007 .

[2]  Sangeun Oh,et al.  Proton exchange membrane and electrode surface areas as factors that affect power generation in microbial fuel cells , 2006, Applied microbiology and biotechnology.

[3]  Zhiguo Yuan,et al.  Sequential anode-cathode configuration improves cathodic oxygen reduction and effluent quality of microbial fuel cells. , 2008, Water research.

[4]  Justin C. Biffinger,et al.  Oxygen exposure promotes fuel diversity for Shewanella oneidensis microbial fuel cells. , 2008, Biosensors & bioelectronics.

[5]  D. Lowy,et al.  Harnessing microbially generated power on the seafloor , 2002, Nature Biotechnology.

[6]  G. Kreysa,et al.  Use of an oxygen gas diffusion cathode and a three-dimensional packed bed anode in a bioelectrochemical fuel cell , 1989, Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology.

[7]  Hyung-Sool Lee,et al.  Carbonate species as OH- carriers for decreasing the pH gradient between cathode and anode in biological fuel cells. , 2008, Environmental science & technology.

[8]  Bruce E Logan,et al.  Evaluation of catalysts and membranes for high yield biohydrogen production via electrohydrogenesis in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs). , 2009, Water science and technology : a journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research.

[9]  Sang-Eun Oh,et al.  Power generation using different cation, anion, and ultrafiltration membranes in microbial fuel cells. , 2007, Environmental science & technology.

[10]  Hong Liu,et al.  Electricity generation using an air-cathode single chamber microbial fuel cell in the presence and absence of a proton exchange membrane. , 2004, Environmental science & technology.

[11]  Sang-Eun Oh,et al.  Hydrogen and methane production from swine wastewater using microbial electrolysis cells. , 2009, Water research.

[12]  F. Harnisch,et al.  Modeling the ion transfer and polarization of ion exchange membranes in bioelectrochemical systems. , 2009, Bioelectrochemistry.

[13]  W. Verstraete,et al.  A microbial fuel cell capable of converting glucose to electricity at high rate and efficiency , 2004, Biotechnology Letters.

[14]  James Larminie,et al.  Fuel Cell Systems Explained , 2000 .

[15]  Jurg Keller,et al.  Bioelectrochemical Systems: From Extracellular Electron Transfer to Biotechnological Application , 2009 .

[16]  H. Hamelers,et al.  Effects of membrane cation transport on pH and microbial fuel cell performance. , 2006, Environmental science & technology.

[17]  H. Hurwitz,et al.  Investigation of electrical properties of bipolar membranes at steady state and with transient methods , 2001 .

[18]  Bruce E Logan,et al.  Hydrogen production in a single chamber microbial electrolysis cell lacking a membrane. , 2008, Environmental science & technology.

[19]  F. Harnisch,et al.  The suitability of monopolar and bipolar ion exchange membranes as separators for biological fuel cells. , 2008, Environmental science & technology.

[20]  L. Bazinet,et al.  Electroseparation of chitosan oligomers by electrodialysis with ultrafiltration membrane (EDUF) and impact on electrodialytic parameters , 2008 .

[21]  A. Heller.  Miniature biofuel cells , 2004 .

[22]  Nigel M. Sammes,et al.  Fuel cell technology : reaching towards commercialization , 2006 .

[23]  Bruce E. Logan,et al.  Electrolyte effects on hydrogen evolution and solution resistance in microbial electrolysis cells , 2009 .

[24]  I. Stenina,et al.  Ion mobility in Nafion-117 membranes , 2004 .

[25]  Leonard M. Tender,et al.  Microbial fuel cell energy from an ocean cold seep , 2006 .

[26]  Brenda Little,et al.  Diversifying biological fuel cell designs by use of nanoporous filters. , 2007, Environmental science & technology.

[27]  P. N. Sarma,et al.  Effect of anodic pH microenvironment on microbial fuel cell (MFC) performance in concurrence with aerated and ferricyanide catholytes , 2009 .

[28]  René A Rozendal,et al.  A bipolar membrane combined with ferric iron reduction as an efficient cathode system in microbial fuel cells. , 2006, Environmental science & technology.

[29]  H. Hamelers,et al.  Performance of single chamber biocatalyzed electrolysis with different types of ion exchange membranes. , 2007, Water research.

[30]  C. Larchet,et al.  Conductivitéélectrique membranaire: étude de l'effet de la concentration, de la nature de l'électrolyte et de la structure membranaire , 1999 .

[31]  Bruce E Rittmann,et al.  Proton transport inside the biofilm limits electrical current generation by anode‐respiring bacteria , 2008, Biotechnology and bioengineering.

[32]  R. Lathe.  Phd by thesis , 1988, Nature.

[33]  Zhen He,et al.  Exploring the use of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in microbial fuel cell studies , 2009 .