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Building 3D conductive networks within sponge-like porous carbon nanofibers: A CNT-based cathode strategy for superior microbial fuel cells.

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Title: Building 3D conductive networks within sponge-like porous carbon nanofibers: A CNT-based cathode strategy for superior microbial fuel cells.
Authors: Huang, Wei1,2 (AUTHOR), He, Yating1,2 (AUTHOR), Yan, Wenyi2 (AUTHOR), Qiao, Longfei2 (AUTHOR), Tao, Yu2 (AUTHOR), Wei, Xiangyu1,2 (AUTHOR), Song, Xiumei1,2 (AUTHOR), Yang, Lin2 (AUTHOR), Tan, Lichao1,2 (AUTHOR) tanlc@zwu.edu.cn, Wang, Xin1,2 (AUTHOR) wangx@zwu.edu.cn, Chen, Zhongwei1,3 (AUTHOR) zwchen@dicp.ac.cn
Source: Chemical Engineering Journal. May2026, Vol. 535, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Subjects: Carbon nanofibers, Carbon nanotubes, Microbial fuel cells, Energy conversion, Porous materials, Cathodes, Wastewater treatment, Oxygen reduction
Abstract: Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have garnered significant attention in recent years as an emerging technology for simultaneous energy recovery and wastewater treatment. However, their practical application remains limited by slow oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics at the cathode, as well as the high cost and poor environmental compatibility of conventional catalysts. To address these challenges, this study designed a self-supported sponge-like porous carbon nanofiber electrode based on microbial electrochemical characteristics. By incorporating a macroporous sponge structure with microporous fiber networks and cultivating a uniform ORR-active biofilm on its surface, a sustainable biocathode is developed for constructing high-performance MFCs. The electrode material (SPCNF@CNT) was fabricated via electrospinning using polyvinyl alcohol-coated carbon nanotubes. Through optimization of fiber morphology, electrical conductivity, and mass transfer properties, the SPCNF@CNT biocathode demonstrated exceptional ORR activity, achieving a current density of 5.13 mA·cm−2 and an onset potential of 0.68 V. When applied as an MFC cathode, the system delivered a maximum power density of 378 μW·cm−2 and degraded 19.75 mM of glucose within 90 h, indicating remarkable pollutant removal capacity. This work presents an efficient and stable biocathode system, offering a new strategy to enhance MFC cathode performance and promote its practical implementation. A sponge-like porous carbon nanofiber embedded with aligned carbon nanotubes (SPCNF@CNT) was designed as a high-performance biocathode for microbial fuel cells. This hierarchically porous architecture integrates macro- and micro-pores with an embedded 3D conductive CNT network, which synergistically promotes oxygen diffusion, enhances interfacial electron transfer, and supports dense biofilm colonization. The resulting biocathode exhibits exceptional oxygen reduction activity and enables the MFC to achieve a high power density of 378 μW·cm−2 with efficient pollutant removal. [Display omitted] • The sponge-like porous carbon nanofibers (SPCNF@CNT) developed for MFC biocathodes. • Embedded carbon nanotubes establish efficient internal electron transport pathways. • The hierarchical porous structure promoted efficient oxygen diffusion, biofilm colonization, and electron conduction. • A high power density of 378 μW·cm−2 was achieved with rapid 19.75 mM glucose degradation. • A synergistic electrode strategy was provided to enable platinum-free, high-performance microbial fuel cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
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Abstract:Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have garnered significant attention in recent years as an emerging technology for simultaneous energy recovery and wastewater treatment. However, their practical application remains limited by slow oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics at the cathode, as well as the high cost and poor environmental compatibility of conventional catalysts. To address these challenges, this study designed a self-supported sponge-like porous carbon nanofiber electrode based on microbial electrochemical characteristics. By incorporating a macroporous sponge structure with microporous fiber networks and cultivating a uniform ORR-active biofilm on its surface, a sustainable biocathode is developed for constructing high-performance MFCs. The electrode material (SPCNF@CNT) was fabricated via electrospinning using polyvinyl alcohol-coated carbon nanotubes. Through optimization of fiber morphology, electrical conductivity, and mass transfer properties, the SPCNF@CNT biocathode demonstrated exceptional ORR activity, achieving a current density of 5.13 mA·cm−2 and an onset potential of 0.68 V. When applied as an MFC cathode, the system delivered a maximum power density of 378 μW·cm−2 and degraded 19.75 mM of glucose within 90 h, indicating remarkable pollutant removal capacity. This work presents an efficient and stable biocathode system, offering a new strategy to enhance MFC cathode performance and promote its practical implementation. A sponge-like porous carbon nanofiber embedded with aligned carbon nanotubes (SPCNF@CNT) was designed as a high-performance biocathode for microbial fuel cells. This hierarchically porous architecture integrates macro- and micro-pores with an embedded 3D conductive CNT network, which synergistically promotes oxygen diffusion, enhances interfacial electron transfer, and supports dense biofilm colonization. The resulting biocathode exhibits exceptional oxygen reduction activity and enables the MFC to achieve a high power density of 378 μW·cm−2 with efficient pollutant removal. [Display omitted] • The sponge-like porous carbon nanofibers (SPCNF@CNT) developed for MFC biocathodes. • Embedded carbon nanotubes establish efficient internal electron transport pathways. • The hierarchical porous structure promoted efficient oxygen diffusion, biofilm colonization, and electron conduction. • A high power density of 378 μW·cm−2 was achieved with rapid 19.75 mM glucose degradation. • A synergistic electrode strategy was provided to enable platinum-free, high-performance microbial fuel cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:13858947
DOI:10.1016/j.cej.2026.175312