Biohydrogen evolution via ferric oxide-intercalated graphene oxide modified nickel foam biocathode in single-chamber microbial electrolysis cell.
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75% confidenceThis study develops a cost-efficient cathode for microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) using a Fe3O4-intercalated graphene oxide nanocomposite on 3D nickel foam, achieving hydrogen evolution reaction kinetics comparable to platinum-based cathodes. The cathode delivers a sustained hydrogen production rate and high electrical energy efficiency in single-chamber MECs. The microbial community analysis reveals a diverse consortium with key exoelectrogens, indicating synergistic biocatalysis.
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Abstract
The prohibitive cost of platinum-based cathodes remains a primary constraint on scaling microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) for renewable hydrogen (H 2 ) production. This work addresses this barrier by developing a high-performance, cost-efficient cathode composed of a Fe 3 O 4 -intercalated graphene oxide nanocomposite on 3D nickel foam (Fe 3 O 4 -GO@NF). The electrode exhibits hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) kinetics comparable to Pt/C, evidenced by a low Tafel slope (57.91 mV·dec -1 ) and minimal charge-transfer resistance. In single-chamber MECs fed with sewage sludge, the Fe 3 O 4 -GO@NF cathode delivers a sustained H 2 production rate of 49.79 mL·L -1 ·day -1 and achieves a remarkable electrical energy efficiency (η e ) of 202 % at 0.9 V. Microbial community analysis, The next-generation sequencing (NGS) of the biofilm revealed a diverse microbial consortium dominated by polysaccharide-degrading taxa (Bacteroidetes phylum) and key exoelectrogens such as Geobacter species, indicating synergistic biocatalysis. This work establishes Fe 3 O 4 -GO@NF as a durable, non-precious catalyst that enables efficient H 2 generation from waste, providing a viable pathway for scalable bio-electrochemical energy systems.