Preparation of stacked 2D Fe3C/FeN-X carbon nanosheets and their catalytic performances for oxygen reduction reaction in microbial fuel cell

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a new type of clean, low-cost and renewable power generation device. And the development of low-cost and high-efficiency advanced electrode-materials is a priority. In this study, a series of Fe3C/FeN− X carbon nanosheets (-CNS) were designed, derived by the calcination of N-doped and Fe coated zeolitic-imidazolate-framework (ZIF) for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The catalytic activity and electric generation performance of Fe3C/FeN− X-CNS cathode material were studied in single chamber MFC using domestic sewage as an inoculum substrate. Fe3C/FeN− 5-CNS catalyst shows a comparable ORR performance to the commercial Pt/C. More active sites gained from its complex stacked structure have been obtained over this catalyst, giving a maximum initial potential of 0.10 V, a high limit current density of − 6.35 mA·cm− 2, and a maximum output power density of 688 ± 7 mW·m− 2. Besides, it also performs well stability during the operation. Thus, this novel and low-cost Fe3C/FeN− X@ZIF cathode catalyst provides a promising alternative to Pt-based materials for sustainable energy applications in MFC.