Deposition of Fe on graphite felt by thermal decomposition of Fe(CO)5 for effective cathodic preparation of microbial fuel cells

► Thermal decomposition of Fe(CO)5 on graphite felt for cathodic preparation. ► Fe modified cathode preparation replaced the use of Nafion solution. ► Fe modified cathode elevated power density and reduced internal resistance greatly. ► Multiple tests proved ferric iron catalyzed cathodic electron transfer. ► The cost of Fe modified cathode was 0.25% of Pt modified cathode per power density.