Xerogel based catalyst for improved cathode performance in microbial fuel cells

Publication date: Available online 17 January 2019Source: Enzyme and Microbial TechnologyAuthor(s): Bhim Sen Thapa, S. Seetharaman, Raghuram Chetty, T.S ChandraAbstractIn a microbial fuel cell (MFC) the reduction reaction at cathode has been a limiting factor for achieving maximum power density, and numerous strategies were attempted to overcome this. Herein, we demonstrate carbon xerogel (CX) doped with iron (Fe) and nitrogen (N) followed by modification with graphene oxide (GO) as an efficient catalyst for MFC. The CXFeNGO catalyst was characterized by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and the catalytic activity was confirmed using cyclic voltammetry studies. At the anode, colonization of bacterial cells on the electrode surface forming biofilm was observed. When CXFeNGO modified electrode was used at cathode in MFC, a maximum power density of 176.5 ± 6 mW m-2 was obtained compared to plain graphite electrode which produced 139.1 ± 4 mW m-2 which is 26.8 % higher. The power density further increased to 48.6 % when the pH of the catholyte is increased to 12, producing a power density of 207 ± 4 mW m-2.

Source: Enzyme and Microbial Technology - January 18, 2019 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: research