title: Power generation using spinel manganese-cobalt oxide as a cathode catalyst for microbial fuel cell applications.
abstract: This study focused on the use of spinel manganese-cobalt (Mn-Co) oxide, prepared by a solid state reaction, as a cathode catalyst to replace platinum in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) applications. Spinel Mn-Co oxides, with an Mn/Co atomic ratios of 0.5, 1, and 2, were prepared and examined in an air cathode MFCs which was fed with a molasses-laden synthetic wastewater and operated in batch mode. Among the three Mn-Co oxide cathodes and after 300 h of operation, the Mn-Co oxide catalyst with Mn/Co atomic ratio of 2 (MnCo-2) exhibited the highest power generation 113 mW/m2 at cell potential of 279 mV, which were lower than those for the Pt catalyst (148 mW/m2 and 325 mV, respectively). This study indicated that using spinel Mn-Co oxide to replace platinum as a cathodic catalyst enhances power generation, increases contaminant removal, and substantially reduces the cost of MFCs.
authors.affiliation: Water Pollution Research Department, National Research Centre, El-Tahrir St., Dokki, P.O. Box 12311, Cairo, Egypt. mohamed_mahmoud_84@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahmoud
authors.forename: Tarek A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Gad-Allah
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: El-Khatib
authors.forename: Fatma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: El-Gohary
mesh_terms: D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D002384:Catalysis; D003035:Cobalt / Q000737:chemistry*; D004560:Electricity; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004566:Electrodes; D008277:Magnesium Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D008345:Manganese / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D010087:Oxides; C111130:spinell; D008277:Magnesium Oxide; D003035:Cobalt; D008345:Manganese; D000537:Aluminum Oxide; D010100:Oxygen; C060728:cobalt oxide