In this study, a photocatalytic fuel cell (PFC) based on immobilized zinc oxide (ZnO) on carbon felt photoanode and activated carbon flakes as cathode was designed for the treatment of azo dye, reactive red 120 (RR120) containing wastewater and simultaneous electricity generation. Under light irradiation, generated electron-hole pairs at the photoanode travel via the external circuit to the cathode, thus generating electricity. This was the first attempt where activated carbon flakes were applied as cathode material in PFC. This study examined the influence of parameters such as light irradiation, cathode material, initial dye concentration, supporting electrolytes, pH and concentration of oxidizing agent and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) on the efficiency of PFC to degrade azo dye of RR120 while generating electricity. Complete decolourization of up to 50 mg/L of RR120 dye was achieved but increased dye concentration significantly reduced the PFC efficiency. The PFC efficiency improved using an amalgamation of supporting electrolytes, pH and oxidizing agent at optimum levels, achieving total dye removal and producing a maximum power density of 18.58 mW/cm².

在这项研究中，设计了一种基于固定在碳毡光电阳极上的固定氧化锌（ZnO）和活性炭薄片作为阴极的光催化燃料电池（PFC），用于处理偶氮染料，含废水的活性红120（RR120）和同时发电。在光照射下，在光电阳极产生的电子-空穴对通过外部电路传播到阴极，从而产生电能。这是首次尝试将活性炭薄片用作PFC中的阴极材料。这项研究检查了诸如光辐照，阴极材料，初始染料浓度，支持电解质，pH值以及氧化剂和过氧化氢（H ₂ O _{2）等参数的影响。}（PFC）在发电时降解RR120偶氮染料的效率。达到最高50 mg / L的RR120染料完全脱色，但增加的染料浓度显着降低了PFC效率。通过以最佳水平混合使用支持电解质，pH和氧化剂可以提高PFC效率，实现全部染料去除，并产生18.58 mW / cm ²的最大功率密度。