Open AccessBoosting Power Density of Microbial Fuel Cells with 3D Nitrogen‐Doped Graphene Aerogel Electrode
Author(s) -
Yang Yang,
Liu Tianyu,
Zhu Xun,
Zhang Feng,
Ye Dingding,
Liao Qiang,
Li Yat
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.201600097
Subject(s) - microbial fuel cell , anode , materials science , aerogel , electrode , power density , graphene , doping , internal resistance , chemical engineering , optoelectronics , analytical chemistry (journal) , nanotechnology , battery (electricity) , chemistry , power (physics) , chromatography , physics , engineering , quantum mechanics
A 3D nitrogen‐doped graphene aerogel (N‐GA) as an anode material for microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is reported. Electron microscopy images reveal that the N‐GA possesses hierarchical porous structure that allows efficient diffusion of both bacterial cells and electron mediators in the interior space of 3D electrode, and thus, the colonization of bacterial communities. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopic measurements further show that nitrogen doping considerably reduces the charge transfer resistance and internal resistance of GA, which helps to enhance the MFC power density. Importantly, the dual‐chamber milliliter‐scale MFC with N‐GA anode yields an outstanding volumetric power density of 225 ± 12 W m −3 normalized to the total volume of the anodic chamber (750 ± 40 W m −3 normalized to the volume of the anode). These power densities are the highest values report for milliliter‐scale MFCs with similar chamber size (25 mL) under the similar measurement conditions. The 3D N‐GA electrode shows great promise for improving the power generation of MFC devices.