Electrocatalysis in Microbial Fuel Cells: Low Cost Anode Electrocatalysts for Microbial Fuel Cells (Elektrokatalyse in mikrobiellen Brennstoffzellen)

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Uwe Schröder
• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry of Molecules, Liquids and Interfaces, Biophysical Chemistry ; Physical Chemistry of Solids and Surfaces, Material Characterisation
• Term: from 2007 to 2012
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 58180736

This project will be dedicated to the fundamental investigation and development of low-cost electrocatalysts for an efficient and direct oxidation of reduced microbial metabolites for electricity generation in microbial fuel cells. It is the aim to develop a fully noble metal free microbial fuel cell that considerably exceeds the performance of present microbial fuel cell. Fundament of this endeavour will be the first thorough and systematic investigation of the electrocatalysis at tungsten carbide based catalysts (i) towards the oxidation of microbial metabolites, (ii) under microbial fuel cell conditions (neutral pH, ambient temperature) and (iii) as a function of the structural, physical and chemical properties of the electrocatalyst. Based on this investigation and the study of the interaction of electrocatalysis and biocatalysis a tailored electrocatalyst shall be developed that combines high current densities and coulombic yields, at high biocompatibility and stability.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants