Bimetallic (Mg, Co)-N/C Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction and power generation in single-chamber Microbial Fuel Cell

Abstract

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have emerged as promising renewable electricity generation devices. However, the poor durability, sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics and high capital cost are a great challenge for the commercialization of the technology. In this study, different magnesium, cobalt and nitrogen doped-carbon nanocomposites (MgCo-N/C) pyrolyzed at 600, 700 and 800℃ were used as air cathodes adopted in MFCs with activated sludge as inoculum. The composition and structural studies were correlated to the catalyst performance towards ORR and power generation. Cornstalk was used at the carbon source while urea was the precursor for nitrogen. The derived material characterised to determine the efficiency of the catalysts for power generation from modified MFCs. XRD studies revealed that the metal species were well incorporated in the carbon material. Further, the catalysts were tested under MFC environment to determine the optimal catalysts.