Fabrication of polyaniline/graphene oxide composite for graphite felt electrode modification and its performance in the bioelectrochemical system

• PANi/GO composite was used to modify GF anode via electrochemical method.
• GO played a key role in the fabrication of PANi/GO composite.
• Stability of the modified GF anode was improved by GO doping.
• PANi/GO improved the catalytic activity of GF anode and electrogenesis in BES.

In order to overcome the unsatisfactory stability of polyaniline (PANi) modified graphite felt (GF) electrode, graphene oxide (GO) was introduced into PANi/GO composite for GF modification in this study. PANi/GO composite was fabricated via a convenient and low-cost electropolymerization method. Scanning electron microscope, Raman spectrum and Fourier transform infrared spectrum demonstrated that PANi/GO composite was successfully coated onto the GF surface. The electrochemical activity, pH dependence and stability of the PANi/GO modified GF electrode were significantly improved after modification, as was indicated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometric tests. The application of PANi/GO modified GF electrode in a bioelectrochemical system (BES) confirmed its superior electrogenesis performance, in terms of much higher maximum power density achieved. The improved biocompatibility, electrochemical activity and stability suggested that PANi/GO modified GF electrode had a promising potential in the BES application for the wastewater treatment.

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