Polyaniline@N-doped macroporous carbon foam as self-supporting anodes for microbial fuel cells

The inefficient extracellular electron transfer (EET) is detrimental to power generation and waste degradation in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Herein, we report a self-supporting anode for MFCs prepared by graphitization of steamed bread slices followed by in-situ polymerization to fabricate [email protected] macroporous carbon foam ([email protected]). The natural nitrogen-containing wheat flour was fermented and carbonized to form NMCF with a high specific surface area of 818.1 m2 g−1. After the NMCF surface modified by PANI, the enhanced hydrophilicity and conductivity of the [email protected] anode would facilitate microbial adhesion, biofilm formation, and electron transfer. The surface improvements enhance the EET process for high-performance MFCs, including a short startup time of 21.7 h, high maximum output power density of 1160 ± 17 mW m−2, and decolourisation efficiency of 88.6 ± 1.2% for 36 h. The chemical oxygen demand removal efficiency was about 84.6 ± 1.1% at end of the operating cycles. This work provides a good foundation for our future development of carbon-based electrode materials for energy conversion and storage devices.