Effect of Sodium Alginate on Proton Conductivity of Cassava Starch in a Microbial Fuel Cell

Abstract

Our previous research has shown that cassava starch can function as a proton exchange membrane in a Microbial Fuel Cell, MFC. This study further examines the effect of sodium alginate, (NaC6H7O6)n , on the proton conductivity of cassava starch in a dual chamber microbial fuel cell using two cell setups operating at room temperature (27±3 0 C). The performance of MFC-1 with unmodified pure starch PEM showed a maximum power density of 45.69mWm-2 with overall coulombic efficiency of 8.70% after a ten day useful life. MFC-2 containing starch PEM modified with sodium alginate produced a maximum power density of 648.51mWm-2 , with overall coulombic efficiency of 18.93% and COD removal efficiency of 72.8% over a 20 day study period. It was thus observed that the cell whose PEM was modified with sodium alginate showed a tremendous increase of over 100% power density generated with longer useful life than in the case of the unmodified form. Hence by this way, power production in MFCs could be improved in a more sustainable manner at a cheaper operating cost.