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A new cathode catalyst, carbon-supported spinel nanoparticle MnCo2O4, was synthesized and tested in a dual-chamber microbial fuel cell, demonstrating excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalytic activity and a maximum power density of 545 mW m⁻².

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What they did

System
MFC

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Abstract

The poor kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in neutral media and ambient temperature limit the performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). So higher-performing, low-cost oxygen reduction catalysts play a key role in power output. Through direct nanoparticle nucleation and growth on carbon black, a nanocomposite of manganese cobaltite and carbon black (in situ-MnCo2O4/C) was synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method. Subsequently, the in situ-MnCo2O4/C samples were characterized. The results show that the MnCo2O4 nanoparticles with a crystalline spinel structure are well dispersed on carbon black. Electrochemical measurements reveal that in situ-MnCo2O4/C demonstrates excellent ORR catalytic activity, which may account for the synergetic coupling effect between MnCo2O4 and carbon black. The ORR on as-prepared in situ-MnCo2O4/C hybrid mainly favours a direct 4-electron reaction pathway in alkaline solution. Moreover, in situ-MnCo2O4/C was used as an alternative catalyst for ORR in dual-chamber MFC. The obtained maximum power density is 545 mW m⁻², which is far higher than that of the plain cathode (Pmax = 214 mW m⁻²) and slightly lower than that of commercial Pt/C catalyst (Pmax = 689 mW m⁻²). This study implies that in situ-MnCo2O4/C nanocomposite is an efficient and cost-effective cathode catalyst for practical MFC application.

Key findings

  • The MnCo2O4 nanoparticles have a crystalline spinel structure and are well dispersed on carbon black.
  • The ORR on the in situ-MnCo2O4/C hybrid mainly favors a direct 4-electron reaction pathway in alkaline solution.
  • The new catalyst outperforms a plain cathode and approaches the performance of commercial Pt/C.

Keywords

CatalysisMicrobial fuel cellCarbon blackSpinelCarbon fibersNanocomposite

Identifiers

DOI
10.1071/ch14516
Journal
Australian Journal of Chemistry
Year
2014