Application of Entangled Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes Doped Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Network on the Anode to Increase the Power Generation in a Microbial Fuel Cell

The power density of microbial fuel cell (MFC) is heavily dependent on the efficiency of anode, which needs to be biocompatible and presents good conductivity and high electrocatalytic activity. In this paper, poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) doped by multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was formed on anode by one-step method to evaluate its properties for power enhancement in a single-chamber electrochemical cell. The PEDOT/MWCNTs hybrid had a fibrous structure and formed porous network coating the anode. Electrochemical analyses indicated that the PEDOT/MWCNTs nanocomposite increased the anode electrocatalytic activity and decreased the electron transfer resistance at the interface between the anode and bacteria. The discharge test showed that the PEDOT/MWCNTs nanocomposite-modified anode can produced 2.3 times more current. The scanning electron microscope images indicated the PEDOT/MWCNTs nanocomposite anodic modification also facilitated the attachment of electricigen.