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Sulfonated polyaniline/vanadate composite as anode material and its electrochemical property in microbial fuel cells on ocean floor

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Abstract

A unique sulfonated polyaniline/vanadate composite was synthesized and utilized as a composite anode in microbial fuel cells on ocean floor (BMFCs). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were employed to characterize its chemical composition and morphology. Wettability of the composite anodes decreases due to the addition of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The electrochemical behavior of the composite anodes was investigated by means of linear sweep voltammetry and Tafel plot measurements. Compared with the plain graphite anode, the composite anode significantly improves the power density, 5.5-fold higher, reaching 187.1 mW/m2 and gives a 27-fold higher exchange current density and a higher kinetic activity. A novel synergistic mechanism between sulfonated polyaniline and vanadate is proposed to explain the excellent electrochemical performance. This composite thus has great potential to be used as an anode material for a high-power BMFC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China

    YuBin Fu, ZhongKai Zhao, Jia Liu, KuiZhong Li, Qian Xu & ShaoYun Zhang

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  1. YuBin Fu
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  2. ZhongKai Zhao
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  3. Jia Liu
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  4. KuiZhong Li
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  5. Qian Xu
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  6. ShaoYun Zhang
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Correspondence to YuBin Fu.

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Fu, Y., Zhao, Z., Liu, J. et al. Sulfonated polyaniline/vanadate composite as anode material and its electrochemical property in microbial fuel cells on ocean floor. Sci. China Chem. 54, 844–849 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11426-010-4149-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11426-010-4149-y

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