Caulobacter crescentus as a novel exoelectricigen in a dual chambered microbial fuel cell (MFC)

Changes in the exoelectricigens, architecture of the fuel cell, materials used for electrodes and proton exchange membrane and electrolytic chemistry can be used to increase power generation in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The design of the MFC used in the study facilitated efficient transfer of protons from the anodic chamber to the cathodic chamber while scavenging the oxygen in the anodic chamber. Caulobacter crescentus was used as exoelectricigen. This organism is used for the first time in a microbial fuel cell. The MFC was operated with different electrodes. Performance of Graphite, Carbon cloth, Aluminum and copper were monitored with a source meter (Keithley 2420). Amongst the different combinations of electrodes employed, Aluminium-copper had a higher power density of 24000mW/m2 when compared to other electrodes. The resistance of the system with respect to the electrodes were 0.12mΩ for the aluminum anode, 0.55mΩ for the graphite sheet and 0.72 mΩ carbon cloth anode which were deduced from the power density curves.