Iron carbide and iron phosphide embedded N-doped porous carbon derived from biomass as oxygen reduction reaction catalyst for microbial fuel cell

Probing the evolution in catalytic graphitization of biomass-based materials for enduring energetic applications

“…To ensure economically sustainable bio-graphite materials, it is vital that the approach employed for the development and testing of electrodes and catalysts derived from low-temperature produced graphitic materials is cost-effective and relies on readily available resources. 7,90 Graphite mining companies are considering increasing the production of graphite to cater to the increase in demand for graphene batteries which is a major growth factor of the carbon-graphite market. The carbon graphite market is forecast to reach $20.86 billion by 2025 and $28.33 billion by 2026, aer growing at a compound annual growth rate of 5.40% during 2020-2025.…”

“…This strategic endeavor aims to enhance the accessibility and economic viability of fuel cell technology, paving the way for more sustainable and widespread adoption. Chu et al 7 studied the air cathode microbial fuel cell (AC-MFC) designed for power generation, featuring a catalyst derived from peeled white radish, specifically Fe 3 C and Fe 2 P incorporated into N-doped porous carbon (Fe 3 C/Fe 2 P@NC-N 4 Fe 2 ) for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). This catalyst was synthesized through a carbothermal reduction process, involving pyrolysis at 900 °C for 2 h under N 2 , in the presence of FeCl 3 and NH 4 Cl (Fig.…”

“…On the other hand, catalytic graphitization offers a more environmentally friendly alternative by reducing carbon emissions and energy consumption. 5,7 Interestingly, the use of a catalyst derived from a variety of sources, including metal alloys and transition metals (Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, etc. ), or even biomass itself, could guarantee a central role in facilitating the transformation of amorphous carbon into crystalline graphite at lower temperatures.…”

Carbon nanofiber/graphene hybrids anchoring Fe, N, and S heteroatoms simultaneously enhancing extracellular electron transfer and biofilm adhesion in microbial fuel cells

“…15,17 Modification of carbon materials with elements such as nitrogen and sulfur etches the surface of carbon materials, forming microporous defects and functional groups, which can not only promote the adhesion of EAB but also trap flavin molecules to enhance the EET efficiency. 18–21 Xia et al 8 prepared a S, N co-doped graphene/iron carbide composite (S, N-GR/Fe 3 C/CC) through the direct pyrolysis method as the anode of MFCs, which significantly reduced the charge transfer resistance of the anode, resulting in an impressive power density of 3.86 W m −2 . The excellent electrical conductivity, specific surface area and biocompatibility of rGO make it an ideal anode material, but the stacking of rGO nanosheets affects the further improvement of the MFC performance.…”

Fe/Fe3C nanoparticles in situ-doped with carbon nanofibers embedded in rGO as high-performance anode electrocatalysts of microbial fuel cells

“…9,17,18 Fe 3 C is a compound formed by the incorporation of C atoms into the closely packed Fe atoms within the iron lattice, which allows the formation of highly reactive iron atoms on the surface of the materials. 26,27 It possesses excellent electrocatalytic capability similar to that of precious metals, 12,18,28 and has been utilized in lithium-ion batteries 29 as well as oxygen reduction electrocatalysts. 30 However, its cycling stability is poor due to the volume change and conductivity loss of individual transition-metal materials during the redox process.…”