Graphene/Au composites as an anode modifier for improving electricity generation in Shewanella-inoculated microbial fuel cells

Abstract

Electricity generation in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) greatly depends on anode materials, which directly affect bacterial attachment on the anode surface and extracellular electron transfer (ETT) between microorganisms and the electrode. Herein, graphene/Au (G/Au) composites were used as a novel anode material for Shewanella-inoculated MFCs. The current generation and power density of the MFCs with a G/Au modified carbon paper (CP/G/Au) anode were significantly improved compared with a conventional carbon paper (CP) anode. This could be attributed to its large surface area, excellent conductivity and good biocompatibility for enhanced bacterial loading on the anode surface and improved EET efficiency between the microbe and the electrode.