Layer-by-layer self-assembled carbon nanotube electrode for microbial fuel cells application.

Anodic material is usually a limiting factor in power generation in microbial fuel cell (MFC). A meditatorless two-chambered MFC was constructed using new type of carbon nanotube (CNT)-based electrode architecture by layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly to increase power density. Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) and polyeletrolyte polyethyleneimine (PEI) were employed to modify carbon paper (CP) electrode utilizing a LBL self-assembly technique, and the electrochemical properties and performance of the modified electrode as an anode in MFC were investigated. The CNT-based LBL self-assembled electrode showed a better electrochemical performance than that of unmodified CP electrode. The self-assembled MWNT/PEI onto CP produced the maximum power density of 480 mW/m2, which was 48% larger than that of the plain CP anode. The CNT-based LBL self-assembled electrode therefore offers good prospects for application in MFCs.