Effect of light spectrum on the performance of SMFC with microalgae improved cathode

Sediment microbial fuel cells as a renewable energy production system can directly convert chemical energy into electricity. In these cells, the microorganisms present in the anode oxidize organic materials in anaerobic conditions and produce electrons. The generated electrons move to the cathode electrode via an external circuit and reduce the electron acceptor present in the cathode section. In this study, the microalgae Chlorella sp. has been used in cathode to produce oxygen, as terminal electron acceptor, during the photosynthesis process. In this study, the effect of three light colors (white, blue or red) at constant intensity (47.33±2.39 μmolphoton m-2s-1) was studied. The results showed that the photosynthetic sediment microbial fuel cells (PSMFCs) under red, white, and blue colors produced a maximum pseudo-steady voltage of 99.31±1.48 mV,110.17±1.33 mV, and 95.2±2.85 mV, respectively. Also, maximum power densities of 4.39 mW/m2, 3.57 mW/m2, and 1.5 mW/m2 were obtained. The findings showed that the PSMFC under red color had better performance in terms of electricity generation.