Interfacing electrocatalysis and biocatalysis with tungsten carbide: A high-performance, noble-metal-free microbial fuel cell

Abstract

Economic power: A robust and low-cost microbial fuel cell has a tungsten carbide anode electrocatalyst, a pyrolyzed iron(III) phthalocyanine cathode catalyst for oxygen reduction, and hydrogen-producing soil bacteria as biocatalysts (see picture). Power and current densities of up to 585 μW cm-2 and 3 mA cm-2, respectively, are achieved. (Chemical Equation Presented). © 2006 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.