Bimetallic Cu-NC/Co-NC nanocomposite from metal-organic framework precursors as a cathodic electrocatalyst for...

Developing an affordable catalyst for microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is essential for advancing alternative energy sources and promoting environmentally sustainable power generation. Herein, an active bimetallic Cu-NC/Co-NC nanocomposite was developed as a novel cathodic electrocatalyst using copper-1,3,5-benzene tricarboxylic acid and zeolitic imidazole framework-67 through controlled pyrolysis under nitrogen atmosphere. The synergistic interaction between Cu and Co active centers is specifically designed to enhance oxygen reduction reaction in a two-chamber MFC. Structural and morphological characteristics revealed that the Cu-NC/Co-NC nanocomposite exhibits a hierarchically porous architecture with a large specific surface area and uniformly distributed metal-nitrogen active sites, which facilitate rapid mass transport and efficient electron transfer. The Cu-NC/Co-NC catalyst, when applied as the MFC cathode, delivers a maximum power density of 211 mW/m² along with an open-circuit potential of 665 mV, which is an indicator of its promising electrochemical performance. Also, the system achieves an excellent wastewater treatment efficiency of 96% in terms of chemical oxygen demand removal, highlighting its dual functionality for simultaneous energy recovery and wastewater treatment. These experimental results underscore the potential of metal-organic framework-derived Cu-NC/Co-NC nanocomposite as a durable and efficient cathodic electrocatalyst for bioelectrochemical systems and environmental applications.