High-performance anode material based on S and N co-doped graphene/iron carbide nanocomposite for microbial fuel cells

The power generation performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is greatly influenced by the anode material. Here, iron carbide nanoparticles doped with nitrogen and sulfur are prepared by a simple one-step pyrolysis method and used as the anode of a medialess MFCs. The charge transfer resistance (Rct) after biofilm formation is 12.36 omega, while the Rct of the CC anode is 1526 omega. Most importantly, this anode not only facilitates bacterial adhesion but also effectively promotes the transfer of extracellular electrons. Therefore, this anode has a fast start-up time of 2.9 days, a high voltage value of 636.9 mV, and an impressive power density (PD) of 3.86 W m(-2). The excellent performance of the S,N-GR/Fe3C/CC anode can be attributed to its outstanding biocompatibility and electrical conductivity and reveals great potential to be used in practical applications of high-performance MFCs.

Automated summary

The iron carbide nanoparticles doped with nitrogen and sulfur as the anode in microbial fuel cells exhibit outstanding performance, with excellent biocompatibility and electrical conductivity, facilitating fast start-up and high voltage values.