Polypyrrole/carbon black composite as a novel oxygen reduction catalyst for microbial fuel cells

A polypyrrole/carbon black (Ppy/C) composite has been employed as an electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in an air-cathode microbial fuel cell (MFC). The electrocatalytic activity of the Ppy/C is evaluated toward the oxygen reduction using cyclic voltammogram and linear sweep voltammogram methods. In comparison with that at the carbon black electrode, the peak potential of the ORR at the Pp/C electrode shifts by approximate 260 mV towards positive potential, demonstrating the electrocatalytic activity of Ppy toward ORR. Additionally, the results of the MFC experiments show that the Ppy/C is well suitable to fully substitute the traditional cathode materials in MFCs. The maximum power density of 401.8 mW m−2 obtained from the MFC with a Ppy/C cathode is higher than that of 90.9 mW m−2 with a carbon black cathode and 336.6 mW m−2 with a non-pyrolysed FePc cathode. Although the power output with a Ppy/C cathode is lower than that with a commercial Pt cathode, the power per cost of a Ppy/C cathode is 15 times greater than that of a Pt cathode. Thus, the Ppy/C can be a good alternative to Pt in MFCs due to the economic advantage.