Synthesis of catalytic filamentous carbon on a nickel/graphite catalyst and a study of the resulting carbon-carbon composite materials in microbial fuel cells

• Published in: Kinetics and catalysis Vol. 52; no. 4; pp. 564 - 572
• Main Authors: Kovalenko, G. A., Tomashevskaya, L. G., Chuenko, T. V., Rudina, N. A., Perminova, L. V., Reshetilov, A. N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht SP MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica 01.07.2011
• Subjects: Catalysis; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Physical Chemistry; Nickel Nitrate; Pyrolysis Temperature; Pyrolysis; Microbial Fuel Cell; Carbon Nanofibers
• ISSN: 0023-1584; 1608-3210
• DOI: 10.1134/S0023158411040069

The carbon-carbon composite materials obtained via the synthesis of catalytic filamentous carbon (CFC) on a Ni/graphite supported catalyst in the process of the pyrolysis of C 3 –C 4 alkanes in the presence of hydrogen were systematically studied. The effects of the following conditions on the catalytic activity expressed as the yield of carbon (g CFC)/(g Ni) and on the character of CFC synthesis on graphite rods were studied: procedures for supporting Ni(II) compounds (impregnation and homogeneous precipitation), the concentrations of impregnating compouds (nickel nitrate, urea, and ethyl alcohol) in solution, graphite treatment (oxidation) conditions before supporting Ni(II) compounds, and the pyrolysis temperature of C 3 –C 4 alkanes in the range of 400–600°C. Optimum conditions for preparing CFC/graphite composite materials, which are promising for use as electrodes in microbial fuel cells (MFCs), were chosen. The electrochemical characteristics of an MFC designed with the use of a CFC/graphite electrode (anode) and Gluconobacter oxydans glycerol-oxidizing bacteria were studied. The morphology of the surfaces of graphite, synthesized CFC, and also bacterial cells adhered to the anode was studied by scanning electron microscopy.