Novel Strontium/Iron Bimetallic Carbon Composites as Synergistic Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Microbial Fuel Cells

• It is critical to develop non-noble metal (NNM) electrocatalysts with excellent stability and innovative activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in the microbial fuel cells (MFCs), which is a promising energy conversion technology. Herein, the preparation of iron carbide electrocatalysts (SrCO3/Fe3C) by the pyrolysis of a bimetal precursor (Sr and Fe) is proposed as a feasible strategy to realize a highly active electrocatalyst for ORR. Based on the catalytic potential of Sr-based materials, Fe species doping can provide more beneficial active sites for ORR. Concisely, the SrCO3/Fe3C(1:12) catalyst achieves the onset potential of 0.197 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) superior than Pt/C catalyst (0.193 V vs. Ag/AgCl) and the half-wave potential of -0.157 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) in 0.1-M KOH solution. Furthermore, the electrocatalyst exhibits nearly four-electron pathway, and generates less than 3% H2O2. Compared with Pt/C catalyst, it possesses preferable stability and superior methanol tolerance. Moreover, a composite electrode with SrCO3/Fe3C(1:12) as a catalyst on the carbon cloth demonstrated a superb air cathode in MFCs with a power density of 398.98 mW m(-2), which can outperform than 10 wt% Pt/C catalysts (342.13 mW m(-2)) on MFCs.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Kemiteknik -- Annan kemiteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Chemical Engineering -- Other Chemical Engineering (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

SrCO3; Fe3C; Microbial fuel cells; Electrocatalyst; Oxygen reduction reaction; Sol-gel method

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