Improvement in photo-potential characteristics of TiO₂ electrode assembling to marine microbial fuel cell

The double layered TiO₂ photo anode which coated by squeegee printing and thermal spraying methods was assembled to marine microbial fuel cell (MFC) for improvement of the battery power output. Results from experimental, by using the double layered anode for MFC, cell voltage increases 120 mV and maximum power density enhances 1.4 times compared with the value of single layered one coated by squeegee printing method. The double layered electrode has anatase/rutile heterojunction, therefore it promotes the electron transfer between base metal and TiO₂ coating interface. Furthermore, the hetero-junction effect at anatase/rutile interface is enhanced by the acceleration of the hole migration into anatase/electrolyte interface because of the photocatalysis at the intermediate layer. In addition, the double layered electrode has a high durability against the cyclic irradiation because TiO ₂ intermediate layer behaves as a corrosion protective barrier which suppresses the direct contact between electrolyte and base metal.