Application of bimetallic low-cost CuZn as oxygen reduction cathode catalyst in lab -scale and field -scale microbial fuel cell

Successful field-scale demonstration of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is still a challenge to the researchers due to its diminutive power generation and proliferated capital cost. To circumnavigate these roadblocks, CuZn was investigated as low-cost cathode catalyst in lab-scale and field-scale MFCs. The lab-scale MFC with CuZn as cathode catalyst demonstrated four times higher power density compared to the lab-scale control MFC operated without cathode catalyst. The field-scale MFC with CuZn as cathode catalyst also demonstrated 64 times higher power density in comparison to the control MFC; thus, warranting its application as cathode catalyst in both lab-scale and field-scale MFCs. © 2020 Elsevier B.V.