Feasibility Study on Electrochemical Impedance Spect

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is in potential a
powerful tool for the in depth analysis of microbial fuels cells
(MFCs). To prevent the risk of drawing false conclusions from
invalid EIS measurements we investigated the feasibility of this
method on an MFC by checking: linearity, causality, stability and
finiteness. EIS application under steady state conditions was partly
feasible. For further application EIS on MFCs we recommend to:
(1) use the constant anode or cathode potential measurement mode
with a fast couple at the counter electrode; (2) record the
polarization curve and measure at different amplitudes to check the
linearity condition; (3) perform preliminary measurements to
reveal measurement presets; (4) apply prolonged pretreatment to
facilitate the stability criterion; (5) perform duplicate
measurements to examine the stability; (6) use a broad frequency
range to validate the finiteness criterion; (7) use a statistical based
validation check based on the Kramers-Kronig transformation.