Analysis of Spirulina platensis microalgal fuel cell

Abstract Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are emerging as a potential solution for generating renewable power. MFCs can produce electricity while simultaneously treating wastewater, powering a biosensor, or in the case of algae, during photosynthesis. In this study, a unique configuration of Spirulina platensis based microalgal fuel cell (MAFC) that allows utilizing O2 generated via algal photosynthesis in the anode compartment diffusing to the cathode compartment where both anode and cathode were submerged (targeting fuel cell operation in an oxygen-limited environment) was tested for 21 days, the duration of the growth curve. The results showed the highest performance in an individual fuel cell on day seven during the exponential growth phase, with an open-circuit voltage of 227.7 ± 0.08 mV. The highest power density was obtained when three fuel cells were connected in parallel, at 59.8 ± 7.9 mW/cm2. Using electrochemical impedance analysis (EIS), showed that the biofilm growth on the anode increased the charge transfer resistance in the nine days measured and the equivalent circuitry of the fuel cell most closely resembled a Randles circuit. Studies revealed that it is possible to run a photosynthetic fuel cell continuously in an oxygen-free environment by using self-generated oxygen, providing comparable power to other microbial fuel cells.