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Portable Membrane-Less Soil Microbial Fuel Cell: Using Multiwalled CNT Paper Electrodes

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Abstract

Soil microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) are attractive for low-cost bioelectricity generation. In this study, a multiwalled carbon nanotube paper (MCNTP) was fabricated by a simple method for use as the anode and cathode electrodes in a stab-type membrane-less SMFC (SSMFC). Activated carbon powder, carbon fibers, and cellulose fibers were bound by multiwalled carbon nanotube paint to form the MCNTP. As a result, the MCNTP exhibited high conductivity, flexibility, and durability. In addition, the SSMFC was designed as a module mounted with three anodes in series and a floating air cathode. The SSMFC could be activated on demand by simply stabbing in the wet soil. Experimental results showed that the floating cathode outperformed the non-floating one. The SSMFC generated the output shortly after being plugged into the wet soil. The maximum power density was at the level of 60–70 mW/m2 for three separate experiment cycles. Additionally, a single SSMFC was used to power a clock as an example to demonstrate its practical use.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Dr. Tran Quoc Thinh, Bioengineering Laboratory, Ritsumeikan University, for his assistance in soil characterization and management.

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  1. Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan

    Dang-Trang Nguyen, Hoang-Uyen-Dung Nguyen & Kozo Taguchi

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  1. Dang-Trang Nguyen
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  2. Hoang-Uyen-Dung Nguyen
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  3. Kozo Taguchi
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Correspondence to Kozo Taguchi.

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Nguyen, DT., Nguyen, HUD. & Taguchi, K. Portable Membrane-Less Soil Microbial Fuel Cell: Using Multiwalled CNT Paper Electrodes. J. Electron. Mater. 51, 5946–5955 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-022-09806-1

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