title: Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Reduced Graphene Oxide/SnO2 Nanocomposite for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Microbial Fuel Cells.
abstract: We report on an easy, fast, eco-friendly, and reliable method for the synthesis of reduced graphene oxide/SnO2 nanocomposite as cathode material for application in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The material was prepared starting from graphene oxide that has been reduced to graphene during the hydrothermal synthesis of the nanocomposite, carried out in a microwave system. Structural and morphological characterizations evidenced the formation of nanocomposite sheets, with SnO2 crystals of few nanometers integrated in the graphene matrix. Physico-chemical analysis revealed the formation of SnO2 nanoparticles, as well as the functionalization of the graphene by the presence of nitrogen atoms. Electrochemical characterizations put in evidence the ability of such composite to exploit a cocatalysis mechanism for the oxygen reduction reaction, provided by the presence of both SnO2 and nitrogen. In addition, the novel composite catalyst was successfully employed as cathode in seawater-based MFCs, giving electrical performances comparable to those of reference devices employing Pt as catalyst.
authors.affiliation: Center for Space Human Robotics @Polito, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Corso Trento 21, 10129 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Garino
authors.affiliation: Center for Space Human Robotics @Polito, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Corso Trento 21, 10129 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Adriano
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sacco
authors.affiliation: Center for Space Human Robotics @Polito, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Corso Trento 21, 10129 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Micaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castellino
authors.affiliation: Center for Space Human Robotics @Polito, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Corso Trento 21, 10129 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: José Alejandro
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Muñoz-Tabares
authors.affiliation: Center for Space Human Robotics @Polito, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Corso Trento 21, 10129 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Angelica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chiodoni
authors.affiliation: Center for Space Human Robotics @Polito, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Corso Trento 21, 10129 Torino, Italy.|Applied Science and Technology Department, Politecnico di Torino , Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Agostino
authors.affiliation: Center for Space Human Robotics @Polito, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Corso Trento 21, 10129 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Margaria
authors.affiliation: Center for Space Human Robotics @Polito, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Corso Trento 21, 10129 Torino, Italy.|Applied Science and Technology Department, Politecnico di Torino , Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gerosa
authors.affiliation: Center for Space Human Robotics @Polito, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Corso Trento 21, 10129 Torino, Italy.|Applied Science and Technology Department, Politecnico di Torino , Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Massaglia
authors.affiliation: Center for Space Human Robotics @Polito, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Corso Trento 21, 10129 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Marzia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quaglio
mesh_terms: D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D002384:Catalysis; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques / Q000379:methods; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D008872:Microwaves; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010087:Oxides; D006108:Graphite; D009584:Nitrogen; D010100:Oxygen
keywords: microbial fuel cells; microwave; oxygen reduction reaction; reduced graphene oxide; tin oxide