FeNx nanoparticles embedded in three-dimensional N-doped carbon nanofibers as efficient oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalyst for microbial fuel cells in alkaline and neutral media

Herein, an approach is reported for the fabrication of 3D carbon nanofibers (CNFs) wrapped by carbon nanotubes (CNT) with graphitic carbon-encased FeNx nanoparticles originated from metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). It is found that Fe-FeNx@N-CNT/CNFs exhibits outstanding catalytic activity towards ORR, whose half-wave potential are 0.89 V and 0.87 V in alkaline and neutral environments, respectively, much higher than MOF-based catalysts reported so far and commercial Pt/C. When the obtained cathode catalysts are loaded in MFCs for power generation test, the experimental consequences show that the Fe-FeNx@N-CNT/CNFs cathode exhibits a supernal power density of 742.26 mW·m −2 and output current density of 3241 mA·m −2 which are comparable to Pt/C. The splendid ORR catalytic performance is mainly attributable to the three-dimensional structure of carbon nanofibers and the active sites of Fe-Nx. These result in a higher graphitization degree beneficial for electronic mobility, high specific surface area, benign mesoporous nanostructure and excellent mass transfer capability. The strategy provides a new scheme to devise and research Fe-Nx electrocatalysts with MOF-based for the conversion of clean and environment-friendly energy.