Nano-materials as anode electrocatalysts for microbial fuel cells

Abstract

Recent progresses made in our laboratory on nano-materials as electrocatalysts for microbial fuel cells are summarized in this review. Compared to the cathode electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction, which are similar to those used for other fuel cells such as proton exchange membrane fuel cells, our interest is mainly focused on the anode electrocatalysts with the aim to accelerate the charge transfer process on anodes. Various nano-materials have been developed in our laboratory as anode electrocatalysts, based on the concept that the charge transfer kinetics between anode and substrates is highly dependent of the bio-compatibility that favors the formation of biofilm on anode, and electrocatalytic activities towards the oxidation reactions of the redox couples in bacteria and the intermediates fermented by bacteria. *Correspondence to: Weishan Li, National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of MPTES in High Energy and Safety LIBs, Engineering Research Center of MTEES (Ministry of Education), and Key Lab. of ETESPG(GHEI), South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China, Email: liwsh@scnu.edu.cn