Polyaniline/β-MnO₂ nanocomposites as cathode electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in microbial fuel cells

An efficient and inexpensive catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), polyaniline (PANI) and β-MnO₂ nanocomposites (PANI/β-MnO₂), was developed for air-cathode microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The PANI/β-MnO₂, β-MnO₂, PANI and β-MnO₂ mixture modified graphite felt electrodes were fabricated as air-cathodes in double-chambered MFCs and their cell performances were compared. At a dosage of 6 mg cm^-2, the maximum power densities of MFCs with PANI/β-MnO₂, β-MnO₂, PANI and β-MnO₂ mixture cathodes reached 248, 183 and 204 mW m^-2, respectively, while the cathode resistances were 38.4, 45.5 and 42.3 Ω, respectively, according to impedance analysis. Weak interaction existed between the rod-like β-MnO₂ and surficial growth granular PANI, this together with the larger specific surface area and PANI electric conducting nature enhanced the electrochemical activity for ORR and improved the power generation. The PANI/β-MnO₂ nanocomposites are a promising cathode catalyst for practical application of MFCs.