Manganese oxide/functionalised carbon nanotubes nanocomposite as catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in microbial fuel cell. (21st September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liew, Kien Ben; Wan Daud, Wan Ramli; Ghasemi, Mostafa; Loh, Kee Shyuan; Ismail, Manal; Lim, Swee Su; Leong, Jun Xing
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 40:Number 35(2015)
• Page Start: 11625
• Page End: 11632
• Publication Date: 2015-09-21
• Subjects: Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2015.04.030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

<abstract xml:lang="en" abstract-type="author" id="abs0010"> <title id="sectitle0010">Abstract</title> <sec> <p id="abspara0010">Manganese oxide/functionalised carbon nanotubes (MnO₂/f-CNT) nanocomposite is believed to be a good catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in a neutral solution; especially in a microbial fuel cell. The unique interaction between MnO₂ and f-CNT will enhance the electron transfer process and facilitate the ORR. MnO₂/f-CNT nanocomposite was fabricated by in-situ hydrothermal synthesis method. The MnO₂/f-CNT was characterised by the field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). Raman spectra has proved there is more carbon defect on the surface of CNT after functionalization. XRD pattern showed amorphous MnO₂ crystal existed in MnO₂/f-CNT catalyst. This study further employed cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques to investigate catalytic activity. Lastly, microbial fuel cell test showed that MnO₂/f-CNT displayed higher power density (520 mW m⁻²) compared to CNT (275 mW m⁻²) and f-CNT (440 mW m⁻²). Moreover, the coulombic efficiency (28.65%) and COD removal value (86.6%) of MFC with MnO₂/f-CNT catalyst was higher amongst the three catalysts tested. This study concluded that MnO₂/f-CNT can be a good catalyst in microbial fuel cell application.</p> </sec> </abstract>