Defect free rolling phase inversion activated carbon air cathodes for scale-up electrochemical applications

Scalable production of air cathodes is crucial for applying electrochemical technologies in practical water treatment applications. However, existing fabrication procedures of air cathodes for microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are either complicated or not sufficiently waterproof for larger-scale processes. In this study, an easily implemented low-pressure rolling phase inversion method was developed for preparing scalable, waterproof activated carbon air cathodes. An aminated PVDF (NH2-PVDF) membrane was synthesized as a new gas diffusion layer (GDL) to avoid defect formation from contacting organic solvent during cathode fabrication. The cathode was easily enlarged to 1000 cm^2 with a high pressure resistance of 13 ± 0.7 m H2O height (∼137 kPa), exceeding the waterproof capability of previously reported air cathodes. The electrochemical performance of the fabricated air cathode was not affected by the additional membrane. MFCs with the NH2-PVDF cathodes produced a maximum power density of 1010 ± 40 mW m^−2, consistent with literature values. The cathode was used to generate H2O2 at a rate of 420 ± 40 mg L^−1 h^−1 (25 mA cm^−2), and nickel catalyst modification further increased the rate to 760 ± 60 mg L^−1 h^−1 (25 mA cm^−2). Overall, the highly waterproof rolling phase inversion activated carbon air cathodes showed great promise for scaling up biotic and abiotic electrochemical systems for practical applications.

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Work Title Defect free rolling phase inversion activated carbon air cathodes for scale-up electrochemical applications
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. Kexin Yi
  2. Wulin Yang
  3. Bruce E. Logan
Keyword
  1. Air cathode
  2. Scale-up
  3. Rolling phase inversion
  4. PVDF gas diffusion layer
  5. Aminization
License CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 (Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. Chemical Engineering Journal
Publication Date November 18, 2022
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.140411
Deposited February 24, 2025

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  • Created

    February 24, 2025 19:10 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added 2023-Yi__Yang_-ChemEngJ-_MFC_Rolling_phase_cathode.__2_.pdf

    February 24, 2025 19:10 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Kexin Yi

    February 24, 2025 19:10 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Wulin Yang

    February 24, 2025 19:10 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Added Creator Bruce E. Logan

    February 24, 2025 19:10 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Published

    February 24, 2025 19:10 by Researcher Metadata Database

  • Updated

    February 24, 2025 21:05 by [unknown user]

  • Updated Keyword, Description, Publication Date Show Changes

    February 25, 2025 10:34 by avs5190

    Keyword
    • Air cathode, Scale-up, Rolling phase inversion, PVDF gas diffusion layer, Aminization
    Description
    • Scalable production of air cathodes is crucial for applying electrochemical technologies in practical water treatment applications. However, existing fabrication procedures of air cathodes for microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are either complicated or not sufficiently waterproof for larger-scale processes. In this study, an easily implemented low-pressure rolling phase inversion method was developed for preparing scalable, waterproof activated carbon air cathodes. An aminated PVDF (NH<sub>2</sub>-PVDF) membrane was synthesized as a new gas diffusion layer (GDL) to avoid defect formation from contacting organic solvent during cathode fabrication. The cathode was easily enlarged to 1000 cm<sup>2</sup> with a high pressure resistance of 13 ± 0.7 m H<sub>2</sub>O height (∼137 kPa), exceeding the waterproof capability of previously reported air cathodes. The electrochemical performance of the fabricated air cathode was not affected by the additional membrane. MFCs with the NH<sub>2</sub>-PVDF cathodes produced a maximum power density of 1010 ± 40 mW m<sup>−2</sup>, consistent with literature values. The cathode was used to generate H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> at a rate of 420 ± 40 mg L<sup>−1</sup> h<sup>−1</sup> (25 mA cm<sup>−2</sup>), and nickel catalyst modification further increased the rate to 760 ± 60 mg L<sup>−1</sup> h<sup>−1</sup> (25 mA cm<sup>−2</sup>). Overall, the highly waterproof rolling phase inversion activated carbon air cathodes showed great promise for scaling up biotic and abiotic electrochemical systems for practical applications.
    • Scalable production of air cathodes is crucial for applying electrochemical technologies in practical water treatment applications. However, existing fabrication procedures of air cathodes for microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are either complicated or not sufficiently waterproof for larger-scale processes. In this study, an easily implemented low-pressure rolling phase inversion method was developed for preparing scalable, waterproof activated carbon air cathodes. An aminated PVDF (NH<sub>2</sub>-PVDF) membrane was synthesized as a new gas diffusion layer (GDL) to avoid defect formation from contacting organic solvent during cathode fabrication. The cathode was easily enlarged to 1000 cm^2 with a high pressure resistance of 13 ± 0.7 m H<sub>2</sub>O height (∼137 kPa), exceeding the waterproof capability of previously reported air cathodes. The electrochemical performance of the fabricated air cathode was not affected by the additional membrane. MFCs with the NH<sub>2</sub>-PVDF cathodes produced a maximum power density of 1010 ± 40 mW m^−2, consistent with literature values. The cathode was used to generate H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> at a rate of 420 ± 40 mg L^−1 h^−1 (25 mA cm^−2), and nickel catalyst modification further increased the rate to 760 ± 60 mg L^−1 h^−1 (25 mA cm^−2). Overall, the highly waterproof rolling phase inversion activated carbon air cathodes showed great promise for scaling up biotic and abiotic electrochemical systems for practical applications.
    Publication Date
    • 2023-02-15
    • 2022-11-18