Porous nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheet on graphene as metal-free catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in air-cathode microbial fuel cells

Wen, Quan; Wang, Shaoyun; Yan, Jun; Cong, Lijie; Chen, Ye; Xi, Hongyuan

doi:10.1016/j.bioelechem.2013.10.007

Cited by 107 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…The results demonstrate that the maximum power density of the MFCs (Figure 5a) with a lower loading of Pt (Pt-Ru/C) as the cathode catalyst was 1139 mW·m −2 , which was slightly higher than the corresponding value for Pt/C (985 mW·m −2 ). The maximum power densities generated in the MFCs are in a middle level compared with results in previous studies [4,[24][25][26][27]. This enhancement in power density may be attributed to the synergistic effect of the addition of Ru (which improves the catalytic activity towards the ORR).…”

Section: Electrochemical Activitysupporting

confidence: 62%

Preparation of Pt–Ru/C as an Oxygen-Reduction Electrocatalyst in Microbial Fuel Cells for Wastewater Treatment

Yang

Sun

et al. 2016

Catalysts

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Carbon-supported Pt-Ru alloys with a Pt/Ru ratio of 1:1 were prepared by NaBH 4 reduction at room temperature. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements indicate that the as-prepared Pt-Ru nanoparticles had a face-centered cubic (fcc) structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses demonstrate that alloying with Ru can decrease the 4f electron density of Pt, which results in a positive binding energy shift of 0.2 eV for the Pt 4f peaks. The catalytic properties of the synthesized Pt-Ru alloy catalysts were compared with those of commercial Pt/C catalysts by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). The results show that the mass activity of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is enhanced by 2.3 times as much mass activity of Pt relative to the commercial Pt/C catalyst. Single-chambered microbial fuel cell tests also confirm that the Pt-Ru alloys as cathode catalysts have better performance than that of commercial Pt/C catalysts.

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Section: Electrochemical Activitysupporting

confidence: 62%

Preparation of Pt–Ru/C as an Oxygen-Reduction Electrocatalyst in Microbial Fuel Cells for Wastewater Treatment

Yang

Sun

et al. 2016

Catalysts

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“…Significantly low power density of MFC-1 and MFC-3 using carbon powder without nitrogen doping as compared to MFC-4, where cathode was made of NDCP without ATMP, indicates the benefits of using NDCP as cathode material. This higher power production in MFC-4 is due to the high electroactive surface area of the N-doped carbon powder and also because of the meso-porous structure development as reported by Wen, Wang [18] resulting in a fast rate ORR. It is clear that cathode potentials of the MFCs followed practically comparable trend as power density curve and anode potentials were almost in the same range (Fig.…”

Section: Polarization and Internal Resistancementioning

confidence: 99%

“…High SSA increases the electrolytic ion activity and allows passage of oxygen molecule for ORR thereby improving performance of the cathodes using NDCP [18]. After 10 cycles of operation, MFC-3 and MFC-4, where ASA was not used in the cathode, showed significant deterioration in the performance of ORR due to blocking of active ORR sites because of fouling [22].…”

Section: Linear Sweep Voltammetrymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The only possible reason for increase of charge transfer resistance as well as the diffusive resistance of cathodes without the use of anti-scaling agent was fouling of the cathodes. Layer formed by deposition of alkali salts on cathode reduces the contact of oxygen to the cathode active reaction sites as indicated by the increase in diffusion resistance (Table 4) after long term operation [18].…”

Section: Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fouling resistant nitrogen doped carbon powder with amino-tri-methylene-phosphate cathode for microbial fuel cell

Kumar

Chatterjee

Ghangrekar

2017

Mater Renew Sustain Energy

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Long term stable performance of a microbial fuel cell (MFC) is difficult to achieve because of scale formation on cathode. Nitrogen doped carbon powder (NDCP) was used as cathode along with amino-trimethylene-phosphate (ATMP) as an anti-scaling agent in a MFC. Maximum power density of 66 mW/m 2 obtained in the MFC using NDCP as cathode, was 2.2 times higher than that obtained with simple carbon powder. High electroactive surface area and meso-porous structure of the NDCP improved electrochemical performance of the MFC having NDCP cathode. After 40 days of operation, the maximum power density decreased by only 12.5% in the MFC using NDCP and having ATMP in its cathode as compared to a 55.6% decrease in the MFC using only carbon powder in cathode due to fouling. Ultrathin shell structure of NDCP catalyst molecules, as evident from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, ensured high catalyst performance providing good electron transfer for enhancing oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Less deposition of calcite molecules on cathode surface, illustrated via X-ray diffraction (XRD) after 40 days of operation, clearly reveals high anti-fouling property of ATMP as a cathode material. ATMP being a commercial antiscaling agent has inherent chelation properties to stop chemical fouling and thus helped in demonstrating stable long term performance of cathode in the MFCs. NDCP along with ATMP could be used for fabrication of a cost effective fouling resistant cathode for long term use by increasing ORR in MFCs to achieve stable power generation by minimizing scale formation on cathode and effective wastewater treatment simultaneously. Graphical abstract

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“…For instance, Wu et al [56] reported the nitrogen-doped graphene sheets as a new catalyst for ORR, which was prepared by the carbonization of polyaniline and Co precursors using MWNTs as a template. Wen et al [57] provided a simple approach to prepare porous nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheet (PNCN) on graphene derived from GO-PANI hybrid through carbonization and activation treatment. As a result, the maximum power density of 1159.34 mW m −2 obtained with PNCN catalyst in a MFC was higher than that of Pt/C catalyst (858.49 mW m −2 ).…”

Section: Metal Free Catalysts Cathode Catalystsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Graphene-based electrode materials for microbial fuel cells

Cai

Wen

et al. 2015

Sci. China Mater.

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Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are environmentally friendly technology capable of converting chemical energy stored in wastewaters directly into electrical energy by using microorganisms as biocatalysts. However, the overall low power density of the MFC and the high cost of its components are two major barriers for its commercialization. Among all the factors, the electrodes (cathode and anode) materials play the significant role in affecting the performance of MFCs. Recently, the performance of MFCs has been improved by using graphene-based electrodes that are more conductive and mechanically stable with larger surface area and higher electrocatalytic activity compared to the conventional carbon materials. This paper provides an overview of recent research progress in graphene-based materials as electrodes for MFCs, which will be the promising candidates for developing MFCs and other bioelectrochemical systems to achieve sustainable water/wastewater treatment and bioenergy production.

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Porous nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheet on graphene as metal-free catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in air-cathode microbial fuel cells

Cited by 107 publications

References 39 publications

Preparation of Pt–Ru/C as an Oxygen-Reduction Electrocatalyst in Microbial Fuel Cells for Wastewater Treatment

Preparation of Pt–Ru/C as an Oxygen-Reduction Electrocatalyst in Microbial Fuel Cells for Wastewater Treatment

Fouling resistant nitrogen doped carbon powder with amino-tri-methylene-phosphate cathode for microbial fuel cell

Graphene-based electrode materials for microbial fuel cells

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