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Graphene/Fe 3 O 4 Nanocomposites as Efficient Anodes to Boost the Lifetime and Current Output of Microbial Fuel Cells
Author(s) -
Song RongBin,
Zhao Cuie,
Gai PanPan,
Guo Dan,
Jiang LiPing,
Zhang Qichun,
Zhang JianRong,
Zhu JunJie
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemistry – an asian journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.18
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1861-471X
pISSN - 1861-4728
DOI - 10.1002/asia.201601272
Subject(s) - microbial fuel cell , anode , graphene , shewanella , materials science , electrode , chemical engineering , electrocatalyst , nanocomposite , cathode , nanotechnology , chemistry , electrochemistry , bacteria , biology , engineering , genetics
The enhancement of microbial activity and electrocatalysis through the design of new anode materials is essential to develop microbial fuel cells (MFCs) with longer lifetimes and higher output. In this research, a novel anode material, graphene/Fe 3 O 4 (G/Fe 3 O 4 ) composite, has been designed for Shewanella ‐inoculated MFCs. Because the Shewanella species could bind to Fe 3 O 4 with high affinity and their growth could be supported by Fe 3 O 4 , the bacterial cells attached quickly onto the anode surface and their long‐term activity improved. As a result, MFCs with reduced startup time and improved stability were obtained. Additionally, the introduction of graphene not only provided a large surface area for bacterial attachment, but also offered high electrical conductivity to facilitate extracellular electron transfer (EET). The results showed that the current and power densities of a G/Fe 3 O 4 anode were much higher than those of each individual component as an anode.