Iron-nitrogen-functionalized carbon as efficient oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalyst in microbial fuel cells

摘要

Iron phthalocyanine (FePc) was supported on carbon nanotubes (CNT) and black pearls (BP). The carbon supports were modified by a two-step treatment with nitric acid and ammonia gas to facilitate catalyst dispersion and obtain effective ORR active sites. The treatment allowed introducing oxygen and nitrogen functionalities on the carbon surface while maintaining an extensively developed porous structure, as demonstrated by elemental analysis and BET measurements.