Conductive Polymer/Graphene Supported Platinum Nanoparticles as Anode Catalysts for the Extended Power Generation of Microbial Fuel Cells

Platinum (Pt) nanoparticles anchored over reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and rGO/conductive polyaniline (PANI) composites were synthesized and exploited as anode catalysts in microbial fuel cells (MFC). PANI bridges rGO and Pt nanoparticles through the electrostatic interaction/pp stacking force/hydrogen bonding and PtN bond, respectively, and increased the intrinsic stability of rGO/PANI/Pt composite. The electrocatalytic performances of rGO/PANI/Pt exhibited the better oxidation current and lower internal resistance over the prepared rGO/PANI and rGO/Pt composites as evidenced from the cyclic voltammetric and electrochemical impedance techniques, respectively. By the combined efforts of active support, high electrical conductivity, and number of catalytic active sites, the prepared rGO/PANI/Pt nanocomposite exhibited a maximum MFC power density of 2059 mW/m(2) with the concrete life durability. Thus, the proposed approach has paved new dimensions in not only the preparation of rGO-supported conductive polymer nanocomposites but also its applications as effective anode catalysts in MFCs.