Iron-Based Electrocatalysts Supported on Nanostructured Carbon to Enhance Oxygen Reduction in Microbial Fuel Cells. (29th July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mecheri, Barbara; Iannaci, Alessandro; D'Epifanio, Alessandra; Nieto-Monge, Maria Jesus; Lázaro, Maria Jesus; Licoccia, Silvia
• Is Part Of: ECS transactions. Volume 72:Number 30(2016)
• Page Start: 9
• Page End: 15
• Publication Date: 2016-07-29
• Subjects: Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journal; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1149/07230.0009ecst
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1938-5862

Abstract

Abstract : Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are bioelectrochemical systems ideally suited to address two sustainability problems at once: energy generation and wastewater treatment. However, one of the major barriers to the widespread diffusion of this technology is the high cost of materials, in particular platinum used at cathode side. To overcome this drawback, we developed catalysts based on iron phthalocyanine (FePc) supported on nanostructured carbon materials with physical and morphological differences, such as nanofibers and xerogels. To facilitate catalyst dispersion and obtain effective ORR active sites, the supports were modified by a two - step treatment with nitric acid and ammonia gas. The obtained catalysts were used to prepare cathodes which were assembled in single chamber MFCs. The body of results indicated that FePc based catalysts can be used as cathode materials for MFC applications.