Article
Chemistry, Physical
Song-Jeng Huang, Aristotle T. Ubando, Yan-Ting Lin, Chuan-Yun Wang, Alvin B. Culaba, Chin-Tsan Wang
Summary: This study evaluates the performance of three oxygen reduction catalysts in microbial fuel cells, with results showing that the B12/CNT catalyst exhibits the highest performance. This research could facilitate the application of wastewater for energy conversion.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ruisong Li, Peng Rao, Junming Luo, Wei Huang, Chunman Jia, Jing Li, Peilin Deng, Yijun Shen, Xinlong Tian
Summary: This study developed a nitrogen-doped carbon catalyst (CON-900) using cellulose as a carbon precursor. CON-900 exhibited high activity, stability, and poisoning resistance for the oxygen reduction reaction. The microbial fuel cell (MFC) fabricated with CON-900 as a cathode catalyst demonstrated a comparable maximum power density to that of a Pt/C cathode.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Simran Kaur Dhilllon, Patit Paban Kundu, Rahul Jain
Summary: This review summarizes the progress in carbon-based materials for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts and their utilization in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Incorporating transition metals and heteroatoms into carbon can enhance the ORR activity and power generation in MFCs. Nitrogen-doped carbons have abundant active sites and superior conductivity, stability, and catalytic activity. Carbon-based catalysts and biomass-derived carbons show potential to replace expensive Pt catalysts for ORR.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sudarsu Ramanaiah, Cristina M. Cordas, Sara Matias, Luis P. Fonseca
Summary: The electrochemical features of biocathodes in microbial fuel cells running on wastewater were evaluated in this study. It was found that the presence of bacteria, especially when biofilms are allowed to develop, enhanced active redox processes such as oxygen reduction. The study contributes to understanding the advantages of using biocathodes over abiotic ones and the bioelectrochemical processes occurring on the biotic chambers and electrode surfaces.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Daohao Li, Xiaojing Long, Yaqian Wu, Huijie Hou, Xueyao Wang, Jun Ren, Lijie Zhang, Dongjiang Yang, Yanzhi Xia
Summary: This study developed meso-microporous carbon fibers with tunable defect density and found that they exhibited outstanding ORR catalytic activity, which can serve as highly efficient catalysts for ZABs and MFCs.
ADVANCED FIBER MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Shengnan Li, Shih-Hsin Ho, Tao Hua, Qixing Zhou, Fengxiang Li, Jingchun Tang
Summary: Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) as a novel wastewater treatment that generates electricity has received significant attention, but the low activity of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) remains a critical bottleneck. Biochar has been considered as a promising ORR electrocatalyst, with further research needed to improve its economic practicality. The review covers the ORR mechanism, essential requirements of ORR catalysts in MFC applications, material selection, properties, preparation of biochar electrocatalysts, and specific applications in MFCs, highlighting challenges and future research directions.
GREEN ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yue Qin, Huiyu Li, Yaxin Sun, Shiquan Guo, Yuanfeng Liu, Zhenyu Zhai, Congju Li
Summary: The author successfully synthesized a new type of hybrid porous electrocatalyst derived from metal-organic frameworks, which can improve the electricity generation efficiency of microbial fuel cells and solve the problem of sluggish kinetics in the cathodic oxygen reduction reaction.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Simran Kaur Dhillon, Amit Chaturvedi, Divyani Gupta, Tharamani C. Nagaiah, Patit Paban Kundu
Summary: Microbial fuel cells (SC-MFCs) are green energy devices that address energy and environmental crises. The application of this technology is hindered by slow oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics. Copper-nitrogen-carbon (Cu/NC) electrocatalysts exhibit satisfactory ORR activity and superior stability for long-term operations.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Linzhe Huang, Kengqiang Zhong, Yuhua Wu, Yi Wu, Xianjie Liu, Lei Huang, Jia Yan, Hongguo Zhang
Summary: A gas-steamed strategy is utilized to prepare heteroatom dual-doped hierarchical porous hollow carbon catalysts through the carbonization of carbon sphere precursor and ammonium fluoride. The catalyst exhibits admirable electrocatalytic properties with high onset potential and limiting current density in neutral electrolytes. The facile and green synthesis strategy can be extended to design metal-free carbon-based electrocatalysts with superior electrocatalytic performance.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yi Dai, Han Li, Yan Wang, Kengqiang Zhong, Hongguo Zhang, Jianxin Yu, Zhongyi Huang, Jia Yan, Lei Huang, Xianjie Liu, Yi Lu, Tao Xu, Minhua Su
Summary: The novel cathode catalyst CaFe0.7Zn0.3O3, a Zn-doped perovskite oxide, exhibits superior oxygen reduction reaction performance in microbial fuel cells, with better stability and corrosion resistance compared to Pt/C catalyst. The power density of CaFe0.7Zn0.3O3 is comparable to that of Pt/C, demonstrating its potential as a cost-effective and high-performance cathode catalyst.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hongguo Zhang, Huihui Shi, Henghui You, Minhua Su, Lei Huang, Zikang Zhou, Citao Zhang, Jianliang Zuo, Jia Yan, Tangfu Xiao, Xianjie Liu, Tao Xu
Summary: In this study, a Cu-doped perovskite oxide was successfully prepared as a cathodic catalyst for microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The Cu doping led to the formation of more micropores and a larger surface area in the catalyst, which improved its contact with oxygen. The Cu-doped perovskite oxide exhibited good conductivity, high stability, and excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) properties. Compared to Pt/C catalyst, the Cu-doped perovskite oxide showed lower overpotential and higher maximum power density in MFCs.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alessandro Iannaci, Swapnil Ingle, Carlota Dominguez, Mariangela Longhi, Odile Merdrignac-Conanec, Soraya Ababou-Girard, Frederic Barriere, Paula E. Colavita
Summary: Nanostructured electrocatalysts using Fe/N-carbon were found to have better performance and cost-effectiveness compared to Pt/C cathodes in microbial fuel cells. The optimized nanocarbon scaffold resulted in a 25% increase in maximum power densities at a fraction of the material costs.
BIOELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Huiyu Li, Yaxin Sun, Jiaona Wang, Yuanfeng Liu, Congju Li
Summary: This study proposes a carefully designed strategy to deposit layered double hydroxides (LDHs) on the surface of nanofibers, obtaining nanoflower-branch composites (CoNi-LDH@CNFs) with a rich cavity structure. The prepared catalyst exhibits excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalytic activity and long-term durability in microbial fuel cells (MFCs).
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Man Zhang, Zhaokun Ma, Huaihe Song
Summary: Non-noble-metal oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts were successfully constructed through one-step pyrolysis, showing similar power generation ability to commercial precious metals and good ORR performance. The Fe-N/GNR@CNT materials used in microbial fuel cells demonstrated potential for practical applications.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Huiqiang Wang, Liling Wei, Jianquan Shen
Summary: Currently, researchers are exploring low-cost and high-performance non-precious metal catalysts to replace the expensive and scarce precious metals used in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In this study, a highly active ORR catalyst (G/C-Fe-2) containing Fe-N coordination sites and Fe/Fe3C nanoparticles was developed using gelatin as a precursor material. The catalyst showed excellent ORR electrocatalytic activity and high-performance in air-cathode MFCs, demonstrating the potential for synthesizing low-cost and high-activity ORR electrocatalysts through this strategy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Electrochemistry
Valerio C. A. Ficca, Carlo Santoro, Enrico Marsili, Williane da Silva Freitas, Alexey Serov, Plamen Atanassov, Barbara Mecheri
Summary: This article introduces a new sensing strategy based on platinum-group-metal-free electrocatalyst for detecting nitrite contamination in groundwater. The sensor has a wide linear range and high sensitivity, and it is cost-effective, making it practical for various applications.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Williane da Silva Freitas, Daniele Gemma, Barbara Mecheri, Alessandra D'Epifanio
Summary: This work reports the development of an iron-nitrogen-carbon electrocatalyst (Fe-N-C) that shows high catalytic activity towards oxygen reduction at neutral pH. The Fe-N-C electrocatalyst was incorporated in air-breathing cathodes and optimized for oxygen reduction activity and stability. These cathodes were then tested in single-chamber microbial fuel cell prototypes, demonstrating good electrical power and voltage generation over time.
BIOELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Giovanni Romanelli, Carla Andreani, Enrico Ferraris, Christian Greco, Salima Ikram, Silvia Licoccia, Giuseppe Paladini, Stewart F. Parker, Enrico Preziosi, Roberto Senesi, Lucy Skinner, Andre J. Veldmeijer, Valentina Venuti, Valentina Turina
Summary: This study experimentally characterized a series of samples from the Museo Egizio, revealing partial dehydration within the samples, affecting their surface morphology and chemical composition. The findings are significant for understanding the preservation status and manufacturing methods of leather artifacts.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Williane da Silva Freitas, Barbara Mecheri, Carmelo Lo Vecchio, Irene Gatto, Vincenzo Baglio, Valerio C. A. Ficca, Atanu Patra, Ernesto Placidi, Alessandra D'Epifanio
Summary: Metal-organic frameworks were used to synthesize Co-N-C catalysts, which showed competitive performance and high methanol tolerance. This has important implications for the development of more efficient fuel cells.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Valerio C. A. Ficca, Carlo Santoro, Ernesto Placidi, Fabrizio Arciprete, Alexey Serov, Plamen Atanassov, Barbara Mecheri
Summary: The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is crucial for the conversion of energy in fuel cells, and platinum group metal-free (PGM-free) electrocatalysts show promise as alternatives to Pt/C electrocatalysts. However, evaluating the performance of PGM-free catalysts requires specific activity descriptors, and differentiating between the primary and secondary sites of these catalysts can be challenging. In this study, a method for evaluating the interaction between probing molecules and primary and secondary sites of PGM-free electrocatalysts was proposed, with the results suggesting the exchange current density as an effective tool for discriminating poisoning of specific active sites.
Article
Electrochemistry
Jorge Montero, Williane da Silva Freitas, Barbara Mecheri, Mattia Forchetta, Pierluca Galloni, Silvia Licoccia, Alessandra D'Epifanio
Summary: A neutral-pH aqueous organic redox flow battery with a highly water-soluble ferrocene and two viologen derivatives was developed. The battery exhibited good redox potential and kinetics, resulting in high cell voltage and energy density.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Williane da Silva Freitas, Alessandra D'Epifanio, Carmelo Lo Vecchio, Irene Gatto, Vincenzo Baglio, Valerio C. A. Ficca, Ernesto Placidi, Barbara Mecheri
Summary: Fe-N-C catalysts were synthesized using a Zn-based zeolitic imidazolate framework and thermal treatment. The pyrolysis temperature during synthesis affected the formation of Fe-based catalytic sites and the removal of Zn. Increasing the pyrolysis temperature resulted in higher ORR activity and better performance durability. The Fe-N-C-1000 catalyst showed competitive performance in fuel cells compared to Pt/C, even demonstrating higher ORR activity and tolerance to high concentrations of methanol.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Fazi, Carla Andreani, Cadia D'Ottavi, Leonardo Duranti, Pietro Morales, Enrico Preziosi, Anna Prioriello, Giovanni Romanelli, Valerio Scacco, Roberto Senesi, Silvia Licoccia
Summary: The increasing interest in stretchable conductive composite materials has led to a demand for scalable fabrication techniques and tailored geometries. Combining carbon nanotubes with polymer films allows for the creation of low-cost, conductive, elastic, moldable, and patternable materials. The interface properties between the carbon nanotubes and different polymer substrates play a significant role in the mechanical and electrical performance of the composites.
Article
Electrochemistry
Beatrice Ricciardi, Barbara Mecheri, Williane da Silva Freitas, Valerio C. A. Ficca, Ernesto Placidi, Irene Gatto, Alessandra Carbone, Andrea Capasso, Alessandra D'Epifanio
Summary: High-performance platinum group metal-free (PGM-free) electrocatalysts were prepared from porous organic polymers (POPs) precursors with highly-porous structures and adjustable surface area. The effect of Fe content on the material's structure, surface chemistry, and electrocatalytic activity toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was elucidated through electrochemical and spectroscopical characterization. The Fe-N-C catalysts with different iron contents showed promising ORR activity, with further advancement prospects for fuel cell applications.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Khair Un Nisa, Williane da Silva Freitas, Jorge Montero, Alessandra D'Epifanio, Barbara Mecheri
Summary: Rechargeable Zn-air batteries are important for a cleaner and more sustainable energy system. The study optimizes the architecture of the air cathode and demonstrates its potential for improving the overall performance of ZABs.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Valerio C. A. Ficca, Carlo Santoro, Ernesto Placidi, Fabrizio Arciprete, Alexey Serov, Plamen Atanassov, Barbara Mecheri
Summary: The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is crucial for energy conversion in fuel cells, but requires an electrocatalyst. Platinum group metal-free (PGM-free) electrocatalysts are a promising alternative to Pt/C, but their evaluation requires specific activity descriptors. This study proposes a method for evaluating the chemisorption interaction of probing molecules with PGM-free primary and secondary sites to effectively evaluate site density. The results identify the exchange current density as a tool for discriminating specific site poisoning.
