Three-dimensional hierarchical metal oxide–carbon electrode materials for highly efficient microbial electrosynthesis

Abstract

The production of hierarchical hybrid conductive materials that are mesoporous, with pores spanning from sub-microns to microns in size, is important for large-area electrode applications. Here, a simple one-step, low-cost method to fabricate metal oxide–carbon hybrid materials with a hierarchical pore structure in a microwave oven is demonstrated. The microwave pyrolysis of ferrocene using carbon felt as a microwave absorber is a method that is rapid (takes of seconds), requires neither harsh conditions nor the use of costly equipment, and can be readily scaled up. The produced material has a high specific surface area, a multi-length scale porous structure and a high conductivity, and is quite stable, making it promising for many practical applications. As an electrode in microbial electrosynthesis, its performance is improved by a factor of five and an optimal biofilm of the microorganism is formed on the surface.