Synergistic carbon polymer modification of iron framework for microbial fuel cells
摘要
Traditional MFC efficiency was often limited by slow oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) rates and the high cost of platinum-based catalysts. To address this, a synergistic novel co-polymerized polypyrrole and polyaniline and reduced graphene oxide with a MIL-53(Fe) metal-organic framework (MOF) via in-situ polymerization was synthesized. Comprehensive characterization, including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, and Scanning Electron Microscope, confirmed the successful anchoring of rGO and polymers onto the rod-like MOF crystals, which maintained a high specific surface area of 1671 m² g− 1. Electrochemical analysis revealed that the composite catalyst achieved superior performance, exhibiting the lowest charge transfer resistance (Rct=29.14 Ω) and the highest response currents compared to control materials. When implemented in single-chamber air-cathode MFCs, the (PPy-Co-PANI)/rGO/MOF catalyst reached a maximum open circuit voltage rapidly and delivered a peak power density of 1565 mW m−³. Furthermore, the system demonstrated exceptional wastewater treatment capabilities, achieving a Chemical Oxygen Demand removal efficiency of 81.79 ± 0.88% and a volumetric treatment rate of 0.258 kg COD m−³·day. These results highlighted the composite’s potential as a cost-effective, efficient alternative for simultaneous sustainable energy recovery and advanced wastewater treatment.
Graphical abstract