Enhancing bioelectrochemical performance of two-dimensional material attached by covalent/metal organic frameworks as...

In this study, covalent/metal organic framework and two-dimensional material (COF-300/ZIF-8@Ti₃AlC₂) were composited by a three-step distributed feed method for cathode catalyst in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The growth of irregular cube-like COF-300/ZIF-8 on the Ti₃AlC₂ substrate was observed. Al, Zn, Ti, N, C and O elements were observed uniformly and more active sites were offered through it. The external output voltage of COF-300/ZIF-8@Ti₃AlC₂-MFC was 576 mV and this could be almost unchanged for 9 days. The external output power density was 587.01 mW/m², and that was 1.25 times of COF-300@Ti₃AlC₂-MFC (469.30 mW/m²) and 1.67 times of COF-300/ZIF-8-MFC (352.09 mW/m²). Ti₃AlC₂ enhanced the electrical conductivity of the composite by its rich surface functional groups and much more surface active sites. COF-300/ZIF-8 mixture improved the instability and disorder of the monomer. This study would supply technical support for the expanded request of composite materials in microbial electrochemistry.