Improved Microbial Electrolysis Cell Hydrogen Production by Hybridization with a TiO 2 Nanotube Array Photoanode

Ki Nam Kim, Sung Hyun Lee, Hwapyong Kim, Young Ho Park and Su-Il In
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Ki Nam Kim: Department of Energy Science and Engineering, DGIST, 333 Techno Jungang-daero, Hyeonpung-myeon, Dalseong-gun, Daegu 42988, Korea
Sung Hyun Lee: Department of Energy Science and Engineering, DGIST, 333 Techno Jungang-daero, Hyeonpung-myeon, Dalseong-gun, Daegu 42988, Korea
Hwapyong Kim: Department of Energy Science and Engineering, DGIST, 333 Techno Jungang-daero, Hyeonpung-myeon, Dalseong-gun, Daegu 42988, Korea
Young Ho Park: Department of Energy Science and Engineering, DGIST, 333 Techno Jungang-daero, Hyeonpung-myeon, Dalseong-gun, Daegu 42988, Korea
Su-Il In: Department of Energy Science and Engineering, DGIST, 333 Techno Jungang-daero, Hyeonpung-myeon, Dalseong-gun, Daegu 42988, Korea

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 11, 1-13

Abstract: A microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) consumes the chemical energy of organic material producing, in turn, hydrogen. This study presents a new hybrid MEC design with improved performance. An external TiO 2 nanotube (TNT) array photoanode, fabricated by anodization of Ti foil, supplies photogenerated electrons to the MEC electrical circuit, significantly improving overall performance. The photogenerated electrons help to reduce electron depletion of the bioanode, and improve the proton reduction reaction at the cathode. Under simulated AM 1.5 illumination (100 mW cm −2 ) the 28 mL hybrid MEC exhibits a H 2 evolution rate of 1434.268 ± 114.174 mmol m −3 h −1 , a current density of 0.371 ± 0.000 mA cm −2 and power density of 1415.311 ± 23.937 mW m −2 , that are respectively 30.76%, 34.4%, and 26.0% higher than a MEC under dark condition.

Keywords: microbial electrolysis cell; hydrogen production; TiO 2 nanotube (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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