A hierarchical porous graphene/nickel anode that simultaneously boosts the bio- and electro-catalysis for high-performance microbial fuel cells

Abstract

A three-dimensional graphene/nickel composite electrode with a hierarchical porous structure is developed to simultaneously boost the bio- and electro-catalysis for high-performance microbial fuel cells.

Covalent and noncovalent functionalization of pristine and defective graphene by cyclohexane and dehydrogenated derivatives

“…In a short span of time, graphene has gone from being a novel source of fascinating physical phenomena [2,3] to having sophisticated applications in various fields including optics, catalysis and device technology [4][5][6][7]. Owing to its unique, defect-free sp 2 network structure, graphene possesses unusually high carrier mobility [8], thermal conductivity [9], and mechanical strength [10].…”

Tailoring Unique Mesopores of Hierarchically Porous Structures for Fast Direct Electrochemistry in Microbial Fuel Cells

“…[3][4][5][6] An MFC anode involves both bio-and electro-catalytic process. [ 2,7 ] Extensive studies have been devoted to exploring macroporous anode materials from both macroscopical porous scaffold (nickel foam, sponge, textile, cardboard, etc.) [ 7,8 ] and natural biomass materials (pomelo peels, kenaf, loofah, etc.)…”

“…[ 2,7 ] Extensive studies have been devoted to exploring macroporous anode materials from both macroscopical porous scaffold (nickel foam, sponge, textile, cardboard, etc.) [ 7,8 ] and natural biomass materials (pomelo peels, kenaf, loofah, etc.) [ 9 ] to improve bacterial cells (biocatalysts) loading while promoting the direct electron transfer via the bacterial out membrane c -type cytochromes and/or the conductive pili (bacterial nanowires) [ 5,6 ] for high MFC performance; nevertheless, the power density is still much lower than the conventional fuel cells, and that obviously is due to the slow electron transfer through the nonconductive or poorly conductive microbes biocatalysts.…”

Graphene-based electrode materials for microbial fuel cells

“…It was reported nanohybrids of rGO/ SnO 2 can achieve a maximum power density of 1624 mW m −2 (Figs 6e and f), which was 2.8 and 4.8 times larger than that of rGO coated and bare anodes, respectively, demonstrating that the rGO/SnO 2 nanocomposite was advantageous material for the modification of anode and enhanced electricity generation of MFC [90]. Qiao et al [91] found that most of the bacterial cells were adhered in graphene aerogel instead of the mental frame. A very interesting observation was that the cells not only grew on the outside surface of the graphene gel but also lived in the pores by adhering on the pore inside surface.…”