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1568302 
Journal Article 
Effect of graphite felt and activated carbon fiber felt on performance of freshwater sediment microbial fuel cell 
Song, TS; Tan, W; Wu, X; Zhou, CC 
2012 
1 
Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology
ISSN: 0142-0356 
87 
10 
1436-1440 
WOS:000309071800010 
BACKGROUND: Sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) could be
used as power sources and one type of new technology for the removal of organic matters in
sediments. Various types of materials have been used as electrodes. Nevertheless, there is still
room to improve electrode materials and enhance their effect on the performance of SMFCs. In this
work, performances of SMFCs with activated carbon fiber felt (ACFF) and with nitric acid-treated
ACFF were compared with graphite felt (GF) materials. RESULTS: The maximum power density of the
SMFC with ACFF electrode was the highest (33.5 +/- 1.5 mW m-2). Nitric acid-treated GF electrode
slightly increased the maximum power density of SMFC, while the nitric acid treated-ACFF resulted
in significant decline in the maximum power density of SMFC. The maximum power density further
increased to 74.5 +/- 7.5 mW m-2 in SMFC using GF cathode and ACFF anode. CONCLUSIONS: ACFF as
anode can enhance the transport of electrons from the oxidation of organic matter in the
sediment, while the output power was found to reduce in SMFC with ACFF cathode. Further efforts
are needed to study the formation conditions of the biocathode and new electrode modification
technology. Copyright (c) 2012 Society of Chemical Industry 
graphite felt; sediment microbial fuel cell; activated carbon fiber felt; power density