Monolithic three-dimensional graphene frameworks derived from inexpensive graphite paper as advanced anodes for microbial fuel cells

Abstract

Three dimensional graphene-based frameworks (3DGFs) hold great promise for microbial fuel cells (MFCs) due to their macroporous structure, outstanding electrical conductivity, high surface area and prominent biocompatibility. Nevertheless, the large-scale application of currently developed 3DGFs, especially monolithic 3DGFs, is hindered by their complex and high-cost process which is hard to scale up. Herein, monolithic three-dimensional graphene frameworks (3DGFs) have been developed via a simple, scalable and effective electrochemical exfoliation approach and demonstrated as high-performance anodes for MFCs. Benefiting from the macroporous networks, excellent conductivity and superior electrocatalytic activity, the monolithic 3DGF electrode facilitates efficient mass transfer and effective electron transport. Furthermore, the MFC device based on the 3DGFs achieved remarkable output power densities of 17.9 W m⁻³ and 897.1 mW m⁻².