Effect of Electrodeposition Conditions and Sn:Co Ratio on SnCo-Modified Carbon Electrodes for Cathodic Reactions and Microbial Fuel Cell Performance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11113/mjfas.v22n3.5074Keywords:
SnCo electrocatalyst, microbial fuel cell (MFC), oxygen reduction reaction, carbon dioxide reduction reaction, energy recoveryAbstract
The performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is commonly limited by the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (O₂RR) at the cathode, which reduces electron acceptance and overall power generation. Therefore, the development of low-cost and stable cathode catalysts is important to improve MFC performance. In this study, SnCo-based electrocatalysts were developed as alternative cathode materials to enhance cathodic reduction reactions in bioelectrochemical systems. Tin (Sn) was introduced into cobalt (Co)-based catalysts to improve catalytic behaviour, active-site availability and structural stability. The study was conducted in two screening parts. First, SnCo was electrodeposited onto carbon felt at different deposition potentials from −0.2 to −1.2 V to evaluate carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO₂RR) activity and surface morphology. Carbon felt deposited at −0.6 V showed the highest CO₂RR current density, although surface analysis showed that the deposits did not fully cover the carbon felt. Secondly, SnCo was deposited onto carbon cloth at Sn:Co ratios of 1:1, 1:2 and 1:4 to evaluate O₂RR activity, stability and MFC cathode performance. Response surface methodology (RSM) identified −0.6 V and SnCo 1:4 as the most favourable electrochemical screening condition based on the selected CO₂RR and O₂RR responses. However, MFC validation showed that SnCo 1:2 achieved the highest maximum power density of 0.105 W m⁻², followed by SnCo 1:1 at 0.089 W m⁻² and SnCo 1:4 at 0.069 W m⁻². This indicates that electrochemical screening does not directly translate to whole-cell MFC performance. Overall, SnCo-modified carbon electrodes show potential as low-cost cathode catalysts for bioelectrochemical systems.
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