A simple method for preparing a binder-free paper-based air cathode for microbial fuel cells

In this paper, we proposed a simple method for preparing a binder-free air-cathode using carbonized kraft paper as the support and iron (II) phthalocyanine (FePc) as the catalyst. The results indicated that the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance of the air-cathodes was dependent on the fabrication steps. A cathode (KP-HT-FePc-HT) fabricated by pyrolyzing kraft paper at 1000 degrees C followed by FePc heat treatment at 700 degrees C showed the highest P-max of 830 +/- 31 mWm(-2) compared to FePc/KP-HT (363 +/- 48 mWm(-2)) prepared by direct pyrolysis. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical tests showed that the superior electrocatalytic activity of KP-HT-FePc-HT was attributable to its higher content of pyridinic-N. This study demonstrated that the FePc/KP-based binder-free air-cathode had the advantages of low cost, easy fabrication, environmental benefits, and good scalability and therefore could serve as a good alternative for the air-cathode of MFCs. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.