| Recent climate change has brought a whole new dimension to the energy field since now we must change our primary source, fossil fuels. The microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology emerged as a result of recent efforts in the development of alternative sources of energy. This project aims to improve the performance maximization of such celsl. It is assumed that the microbial fuel cells' functioning is influenced by the operation conditions as well as the biofilm development and other limitations. It is also appropriate to suppose that the electrode materials also have consequences on either the microorganisms' activity or the electrochemical reaction reactivity. Thus, various operating conditions and configurations are tested to identify the specific effects of these changes on cell performance. Also, the development of the biofilm is extensively studied under various conditions to improve the electrons transfer between the active biofilm and the anode.;These experiments and analyses permitted to identify various effects that can improve the microbial fuel cell performance. Thus, the influence of organic load (of glucose and acetate), pH and operating temperature of the fuel cell has been shown and optimal values were determined, leading to a significant increase in the anodic biofilm activity and a decrease of the methanogens activity, the latter reducing the coulombic efficiency by diverting a non-negligible substrate amount for their benefit. Hence, organic loading of 2 to 4 g L-1 day-1, pH between 6,25 and 6,5 as well as high cathode temperature (62 °C) but moderate anode temperature (30 °C) caused a maximum power generation increase to 19,2 W m -3. During the experiments with acetate as substrate, distance between electrodes and fuel cell volume have been reduced, leading to a power density of 92,4 W m-3. All these observations are the subject of the first article presented in this thesis.;Since the microbial fuel cell power generation depends on the number of anode-reducing microorganisms populating the biofilm, this relationship was deepened in the second manuscript. This article, which intended to monitor the biofilm development, highlights the influence of external load changing rate during the active biofilm growth. Thus, when the external load is adjusted rapidly to approach the cell internal resistance, electrons exchange is enhanced as well as the proliferation of microorganisms responsible of these electrons generation. By promoting faster anode-reducing microorganisms growth, other species are somewhat disadvantaged and substrate consumption is primarily involved in the electricity production rather than any other unwanted products (eg.: methane). This article also demonstrates the influence of the biofilm development level on the diffusion limitation of the anodic reaction, a limitation that becomes more pronounced as the biofilm grows.;The third article clarifies the diffusion limitation of the charge transfer at the anode. Therefore, the organic load variation of acetate in microbial fuel cells with carbon felt (3D) and carbon paper (2D) anodes as well as the electrolyte conductivity decrease has targeted protons diffusion out of the biofilm as the current generation limitation. In addition, a secondary electrochemical reaction has been identified at the anode, creating an electrode resistance increase and thereby a slight power output decrease. Finally, multiple electrochemical analyses helped to establish with certainty that the electron transfer mechanism carried out by anode-reducing microorganisms is by direct contact with the anode via microorganisms themselves or the conductive biofilm matrix, cytochromes being responsible for the electrons transport in both cases.;The last manuscript deals with new cathode materials (carbon, Mn 2O3 and Fe2O3) evaluation in comparison to a platinum cathode. These materials were chosen for their potential to stimulate the proliferation of microorganisms capable of influencing cathode activity in order to obtain a biocathode; however, this phenomenon has not been verified. (Abstract shortened by UMI.). |
