The addition of ortho-hexagon nano spinel Co3O4 to improve the performance of activated carbon air cathode microbial fuel cell. (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ge, Baochao; Li, Kexun; Fu, Zhou; Pu, Liangtao; Zhang, Xi
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 195(2015)
• Page Start: 180
• Page End: 187
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Microbial fuel cell -- Nano spinel Co3O4 -- Catalytic kinetics -- Oxygen reduction reaction; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.06.054
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Highlights: Spinel nano-Co3 O4 of ortho-hexagon shape was fabricated by a hydrothermal method. The MPD of the treated sample reached 1500 mW m −2, 97.36% higher than the untreated. The total resistance of the electrodes was largely reduced. The oxygen reduction reaction rate and kinetics constant were largely increased. More amounts of micropores and active sites contributed to improved performance. Abstract: Commercial Co3 O4 and ortho-hexagon spinel nano-Co3 O4 (OHSNC) were doped in the AC at a different percentage (5%, 10% and 15%) to enhance the performance of microbial fuel cell (MFC). The maximum power density of MFC with 10% OHSNC doped cathode was 1500 ± 14 mW m −2, which was 97.36% and 41.24% higher than that with the bare AC air cathode and commercial Co3 O4 respectively. The electrocatalytic behavior for their better performance was discussed in detail with the help of various structural and electrochemical techniques. The OHSNC was characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that the improved performance owed to the enhancement of both kinetics activity and the number of electron transfer in the ORR, and the internal resistance was largely reduced. Therefore, OHSNC was proved to be an excellent cathodic catalyst in AC air cathode MFC.