Novel multi walled carbon nanotube based nitrogen impregnated Co and Fe cathode catalysts for improved microbial fuel cell performance

For application in a microbial fuel cell (MFC), transition metal and nitrogen co-doped nanocarbon catalysts were synthesised by pyrolysis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in the presence of iron- or cobalt chloride and nitrogen source. For the physicochemical characterisation of the catalys...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 43; no. 51; pp. 23027 - 23035
Main Authors:	Türk, K.K., Kruusenberg, I., Kibena-Põldsepp, E., Bhowmick, G.D., Kook, M., Tammeveski, K., Matisen, L., Merisalu, M., Sammelselg, V., Ghangrekar, M.M., Mitra, A., Banerjee, R.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Elsevier Ltd 20-12-2018
Subjects:	Microbial fuel cell Neutral medium Nitrogen doping Non-precious metal catalyst Oxygen reduction reaction Wastewater treatment Microbial fuel cell Neutral medium Nitrogen doping Non-precious metal catalyst Wastewater treatment Oxygen reduction reaction
Online Access:	Get full text
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	For application in a microbial fuel cell (MFC), transition metal and nitrogen co-doped nanocarbon catalysts were synthesised by pyrolysis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in the presence of iron- or cobalt chloride and nitrogen source. For the physicochemical characterisation of the catalysts, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used. The results obtained by rotating disk electrode (RDE) method showed an extraordinary electrocatalytic activity of these catalysts towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in neutral media, which was also confirmed by the MFC results. The Co-N-CNT and Fe-N-CNT cathode catalysts exhibited maximum power density of 5.1 W m−3 and 6 W m−3, respectively. Higher ORR activity and improved electric output in the MFC could be attributed to the formation of the active nitrogen-metal centers. All findings suggest that these materials can be used as potential cathode catalysts for ORR in MFC to replace expensive noble-metal based materials. •Co-N-CNT and Fe-N-CNT were synthesised for the application of microbial fuel cell.•Co-N-CNT and Fe-N-CNT catalysts showed high ORR activity in neutral media.•Maximum power density of Co-N-CNT and Fe-N-CNT was 5.1 and 6 W m−3, respectively.•Wastewater treatment efficiency of the MFCs with Co-N-CNT and Fe-N-CNT was superior.
ISSN:	0360-3199 1879-3487
DOI:	10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.10.143