Novel multi walled carbon nanotube based nitrogen impregnated Co and Fe cathode catalysts for improved microbial fuel cell performance |
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| Authors: | K.K. Türk I. Kruusenberg E. Kibena-Põldsepp G.D. Bhowmick M. Kook K. Tammeveski L. Matisen M. Merisalu V. Sammelselg M.M. Ghangrekar A. Mitra R. Banerjee |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Ravila 14a, 50411, Tartu, Estonia;2. Department of Agricultural and Food Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, 721302, India;3. Institute of Physics, University of Tartu, W. Ostwald Str. 1, 50411, Tartu, Estonia;4. Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, 721302, India |
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| Abstract: | For application in a microbial fuel cell (MFC), transition metal and nitrogen co-doped nanocarbon catalysts were synthesised by pyrolysis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in the presence of iron- or cobalt chloride and nitrogen source. For the physicochemical characterisation of the catalysts, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used. The results obtained by rotating disk electrode (RDE) method showed an extraordinary electrocatalytic activity of these catalysts towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in neutral media, which was also confirmed by the MFC results. The Co-N-CNT and Fe-N-CNT cathode catalysts exhibited maximum power density of 5.1 W m?3 and 6 W m?3, respectively. Higher ORR activity and improved electric output in the MFC could be attributed to the formation of the active nitrogen-metal centers. All findings suggest that these materials can be used as potential cathode catalysts for ORR in MFC to replace expensive noble-metal based materials. |
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| Keywords: | Microbial fuel cell Neutral medium Nitrogen doping Non-precious metal catalyst Oxygen reduction reaction Wastewater treatment |
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