Enhancing performance of microbial fuel cell by using graphene supported V2O5-nanorod catalytic cathode. (20th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Noori, Md. T.; Mukherjee, C.K.; Ghangrekar, M.M.
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 228(2017)
• Page Start: 513
• Page End: 521
• Publication Date: 2017-02-20
• Subjects: Composite cathode -- Microbial fuel cell -- Oxygen reduction reaction -- Reduced graphene oxide -- V2O5 nano-rods; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2017.01.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: In support with graphene (rGO), V2 O5 -NRs showed excellent ORR kinetics. V2 O5 /rGO cathode enhanced power output with superior wastewater treatment in MFC. Power density in MFC using V2 O5 /rGO was found higher than MFC with Pt-C cathode. Cathode fabrication cost using V2 O5 /rGO catalyst was found much lower than Pt-C. Abstract: Cathodes were fabricated around stainless steel wire mesh current collector, using vanadium pentoxide nanorods (V2 O5 -NRs) as catalyst supported with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and Vulcan XC, for application in microbial fuel cell. Cyclic voltammetry analysis showed multiple redox current peaks of V2 O5 -NRs under applied potential range, revealing superior electrocatalytic activity. Power density enhanced from 384 ± 45 mW/m 2 for MFC using V2 O5 /Vulcan XC cathode to 533 ± 37 mW/m 2 for MFC using V2 O5 /rGO cathode; whereas MFC using catalyst free cathode fabricated with rGO and Vulcan XC produced significantly less power density of 95 ± 9.9 and 75 ± 7 mW/m 2, respectively. In addition, MFC using V2 O5 /rGO cathode demonstrated slightly higher power density than that obtained from MFC using 10% Pt-carbon cathode (512 ± 51 mW/m 2 ). Coulombic efficiency and chemical oxygen demand removal of 37.5 ± 1.36% and 85.02 ± 1.46% in MFC using V2 O5 /rGO cathode was found to be highest among all MFCs. Noteworthy improvement in catalytic activity of low-cost V2 O5 -NRs catalyst enfolded with graphene is demonstrated, resulting in higher power output and organic matter removal in MFC. Higher power generated by MFC using low cost V2 O5 /rGO cathode, compared with costly platinum, makes it suitable option for scale-up of MFCs.