High-performance cobalt (Co) nanoparticles supported
on a zeolite–graphene
oxide (1:2) matrix (catalyst Z2) are synthesized through
a facile reduction method. In multipoint Brunauer–Emmett–Teller
(MBET) surface area analysis, catalyst Z2 demonstrates
a higher surface area compared with other synthesized catalysts, indicating
the presence of a larger number of catalytic active sites, and supports
outstanding ORR performance due to an improved electron-transfer rate
and a higher number of redox-active sites. Furthermore, it is observed
that catalyst Z2 is an excellent electrocatalytic material
due to its low charge-transfer resistance and higher oxygen reduction
reaction (ORR) activity. Herein, the electrocatalytic investigation
suggests that catalyst Z2 at a potential of 483 mV and
a reduction current of −0.382 mA displays a higher electrocatalytic
performance and higher stability toward ORR compared with other synthesized
catalysts and even the standard Pt/C catalyst. Also, when catalyst
Z2 is applied as an air-cathode ORR electrocatalyst for
a single-chambered microbial fuel cell (SC-MFC), the SC-MFC coated
with catalyst Z2 generates the maximum power density of
416.78 mW/m2, which is 306% higher than that of SC-MFC
coated with Pt/C (102.67 mW/m2). In fact, the longer stability
and electronic conductivity have contributed to an outstanding ORR
activity of the nanocomposite due to its porous surface morphology
and the presence of the functional groups in the zeolite–GO
support matrix. In brief, Co (cobalt) nanoparticles doped on a zeolite–GO
(1:2) support matrix are promising cathode electrocatalysts in the
practical application of MFCs and other related devices.