Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs), a promising green energy source, have faced limitations in performance. To address this, we synthesized a porous Zn-Se-N-C nanomaterial with a large specific surface area and significant defect density through the utilization of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Surface unique topography characteristics are tuned by controlling the annealing temperature. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed that the synergistic effect of Zn and Se in ZnSe nanoparticles can significantly improve oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalytic activity. Experimental results demonstrated that the ORR performance of Zn-Se-N-C 1000 °C catalyst is comparable to that Pt/C catalyst in both alkaline and neutral conditions, especially in alkaline media. When employed as the cathode catalyst in asymmetrical MFCs with a neutral anode and an alkaline cathode, the Zn-Se-N-C 1000 °C(cathode)-MFC system achieved an impressive output current density of 8 ± 0.2 A/m−2 and a remarkable power density of 2000 ± 30 mW m−2. Additionally, the unique pore structure of Zn-Se-N-C1000°C made it highly suitable as an anode in MFCs. The Zn-Se-N-C 1000 °C (anode)-MFC demonstrated an output current density of 7.1 ± 0.9 A/m−2 and a power density of 3000 ± 111 mW m−2.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.