Architectural design of hierarchically meso–macroporous carbon for microbial fuel cell anodes

Abstract

Larger surface area and porous structure are crucial factors for MFC anode performance. In this study, we demonstrate a dual-templating strategy for design of 3D hierarchically nanostructured carbon (HN-C) with well-patterned macropores (ca., 400 nm) and ordered mesopores (ca., 4 nm) decorating the carbon cloth as an anode for high power density. The HN-C exhibited higher power density (1034 mW m⁻²) and COD removal efficiency (92.1%) compared with the macroporous carbon anode MFC, mesoporous carbon anode MFC and carbon cloth anode MFC. The excellent performance of HN-C anode MFC was attributed to the combination of mesopores and macropores, providing both the macropores for the bacteria to clog on and a large specific surface area for facilitating fast substrate and electron transfer to enhance the bioelectrochemical performance. This architectural design of porous carbon materials might open up a promising anode fabrication method to improve MFC performance.