Evaluation of the effect of luminosity on ceramic microbial fuel biocells with Sphagnum mosses using a low-cost cathode based on Fe-N-C hydrogel

• Grant number: 24/01187-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2024
• End date: March 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Gustavo Pio Marchesi Krall Ciniciato
• Grantee: Maria Isabela Alves Antunes
• Host Institution: Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de São Paulo (IFSP). Campus Avaré. Avaré , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This work is dedicated to the construction, development and studies involving ceramic microbial biofuel cells (BCMC) using soil microorganisms in contact with the rhizoid surface of mosses. To do this, mosses of the genus Sphagnum will be added to a cup-type ceramic electrochemical cell, containing carbon cloth and soil on the internal part and a cathode containing a gas diffusion layer on the external surface. The moss will be added to the top of the cup and the electrochemical behavior of the bianode in contact with the dirt next to a cathode containing a gas diffusion layer will be experimentally evaluated. Polarization curve experiments will be carried out periodically to monitor the generation of electrical energy resulting from the oxidation of compounds produced by the fungi and microorganisms present there. These electrochemical experiments will be carried out to obtain information about the electrodic processes and determine the best conditions for preparing the electrodes and operating the electrochemical cell. The effect of changing the lighting cycle on the health of the mosses connected to the electrochemical cell in electrochemical responses will be evaluated. A low-cost study based on Fe-N-C hydrogel will be developed and added to the cathode containing a gas diffusion layer with the aim of improving oxygen reduction actions (RRO) and, consequently, improving power generation performance. BCMC electrical power developed. Cyclic voltammetry experiments will be carried out to observe the faradaic processes occurring on the surface of the developed electrodes, bioanode, cathode containing gas diffusion layer and the Fe-N-C hydrogel.