Three-dimensional macroporous CNT–SnO2 composite monolith for electricity generation and energy storage in microbial fuel cells. Issue 64 (21st June 2016) - Duan, Tigang
Abstract : A 3D macroporous CNT–SnO2 composite as the anode in microbial fuel cells achieves both good electricity generation and energy storage. Abstract : A facile electrophoretic deposition method was used to prepare a three-dimensional macroporous CNT–SnO2 monolith as a MFC anode. This 3D CNT–SnO2 composite presents a clear micro-structure with CNTs inside and amorphous SnO2 nanoparticles coating the CNT surface, and has both good electricity generation and energy storage in MFCs. Experimental results show that the CNT–SnO2 composite possesses good biocompatibility and improved electrical conductivity. Compared with CNT, CNT–SnO2 presents a much higher output current density (2.21 versus 0.47 mA cm −2 ) and power density (673.5 versus 443.1 mW m −2 ). The discharge–charge experiments show that the CNT–SnO2 composite has a greater specific capacitance than the CNT electrode (382 versus 42.8 mF cm −2 ) with a discharge–charge current density of 1 mA cm −2 . These results reveal that the 3D CNT–SnO2 composite has great promise as the anode material for MFCs.