Preparation and characterization of Fe and Zn co-doped polyaniline microbial fuel cell cathode catalysts

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1000-1565.2024.03.005

Abstract

Abstract: In order to address the issues of low durability, slow kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction(ORR), and high cost of cathode catalysts for microbial fuel cells(MFC), a porous carbon co-doped with Fe, Zn, and N as an air cathode catalyst was prepared. The electrochemical studies demonstrated that the synthesised catalyst Fe/Zn-NC-0.9 exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction. The charge transfer resistance and the exchange current density were measured at 5.6 Ω and 53.3 mV/dec, respectively, while the maximum power density was at(1 253±20)mW/m². Additionally, the impact of the Fe doping level on the ORR reaction and maximum power density was assessed. It was found that a moderate Fe doping level is essential for enhancing catalytic activity. Furthermore, the cathode performance is improved through the synergistic effect of Fe and N co-doping.

Key words: Fe/Zn-NC, ORR, air cathode, microbial fuel cell(MFC), catalyst

CLC Number:

X506

CHAI Yuanji, WANG Hanming, LIU Zhimin,XIAO Longlong, SHEN Zhexi, YU Boqu. Preparation and characterization of Fe and Zn co-doped polyaniline microbial fuel cell cathode catalysts[J]. Journal of Hebei University(Natural Science Edition), 2024, 44(3): 261-268.

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