Development of a novel alloy electrode for enhanced power generation in microbial fuel cells

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K21336
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 1101:Environmental analyses and evaluation, environmental conservation measure and related fields
• Research Institution: National Agriculture and Food Research Organization
• Principal Investigator: YAMASHITA TAKAHIRO 国立研究開発法人農業・食品産業技術総合研究機構, 畜産研究部門, 上級研究員 (60547719)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-08-31 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 微生物発電 / 合金系負極 / 生物膜 / Geobacter

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Carbon-based materials are commonly used as anodes in microbial fuel cells (MFCs), whereas metal-based materials are not used frequently. We previously demonstrated that flame-oxidized (FO) stainless steel (SS) anodes produce higher power in MFCs as compared to commonly used carbon-cloth anodes. In this study, to develop a new metal anode for more increased electricity generation, 9 different alloys and 9 of their oxidized forms were comprehensively tested. The flame-oxidized Invar 42 anode showed the highest average of maximum power densities in the screening test, followed by flame-oxidized Super invar and FO-SS anodes.

Free Research Field

環境工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、ステンレス鋼を含む合金系負極に着目しMFC 出力の向上を目指した研究である。これまでの研究により、ステンレス鋼を炎で炙り電極表面にのみ酸化鉄を形成させて導電性と親和性を両立させることで、炎酸化ステンレス鋼負極は炭素系負極よりも高い出力を示すことを発見している。MFCの高出力化は、将来、有機性廃棄物から電気エネルギーを回収し利用されることで、化石燃料の使用低減などにつながりカーボンニュートラルの実現に貢献するものと考えられる。