Low-cost nanowired α-MnO2/C as an ORR catalyst in air-cathode microbial fuel cell

Mir Reza Majidi; Fatemeh Shahbazi Farahani; Mirghasem Hosseini; Iraj Ahadzadeh

doi:10.1016/j.bioelechem.2018.09.004

Low-cost nanowired α-MnO₂/C as an ORR catalyst in air-cathode microbial fuel cell

Bioelectrochemistry. 2019 Feb:125:38-45. doi: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2018.09.004. Epub 2018 Sep 15.

Authors

Mir Reza Majidi¹, Fatemeh Shahbazi Farahani², Mirghasem Hosseini³, Iraj Ahadzadeh⁴

Affiliations

¹ Deptartment of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Tabriz, 51664 Tabriz, Iran. Electronic address: majidi@tabrizu.ac.ir.
² Deptartment of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Tabriz, 51664 Tabriz, Iran. Electronic address: f.shahbazi@tabrizu.ac.ir.
³ Electrochemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Chemistry, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran.
⁴ Research Laboratory for Electrochemical Instrumentation and Energy Systems, Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.

PMID: 30261369
DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2018.09.004

Abstract

In this work, low cost α-MnO₂ nanowires and α-MnO₂ nanowires supported on carbon Vulcan (α-MnO₂/C) have been synthesized via a simple and facile hydrothermal method for application in microbial fuel cells. The prepared samples have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Electrocatalytic activities of the samples have been evaluated by means of cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in a neutral phosphate buffer solution. EIS was performed at different potentials to gain further insight into the kinetic properties of α-MnO₂/C. Both catalysts were used in air cathode microbial fuel cells to achieve power densities of 180 and 111 mWm^-2 for α-MnO₂/C and pristine α-MnO₂ nanowires, respectively. α-MnO2/C functions as a good and economical alternative for Pt free catalysts in practical MFC applications, as shown by the findings of stability test and voltage generation cycles in long-term operation of MFC.

Keywords: Microbial fuel cell; ORR; α-MnO(2) nanowire; α-MnO(2)/C.

MeSH terms

Bioelectric Energy Sources / economics*
Carbon / chemistry
Catalysis
Electrochemical Techniques
Electrodes / economics
Manganese Compounds / chemistry*
Manganese Compounds / economics
Nanowires / chemistry*
Nanowires / economics
Nanowires / ultrastructure
Oxidation-Reduction
Oxides / chemistry*
Oxides / economics
Oxygen / chemistry*

Substances

Manganese Compounds
Oxides
Carbon
Oxygen
manganese dioxide