Catalyst and a Study of the Resulting Carbon
Carbon Composite Materials in Microbial Fuel Cells
G. A. Kovalenkoa, b, L. G. Tomashevskayac, T. V. Chuenkoa, N. A. Rudinaa,
L. V. Perminovaa, and A. N. Reshetilovc
a Boreskov Institute of Catalysis, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090 Russia
e-mail: galina@catalysis.ru
b Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, 630090 Russia
c Skryabin Institute of the Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms,
Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow oblast, 142290 Russia
e-mail: anatol@ibpm.pushchino.ru
Received October 28, 2010
Abstract—The carbon–carbon composite materials obtained via the synthesis of catalytic filamentous carbon
(CFC) on a Ni/graphite supported catalyst in the process of the pyrolysis of C3–C4 alkanes in the presence of
hydrogen were systematically studied. The effects of the following conditions on the catalytic activity
expressed as the yield of carbon (g CFC)/(g Ni) and on the character of CFC synthesis on graphite rods were
studied: procedures for supporting Ni(II) compounds (impregnation and homogeneous precipitation), the concentra-
tions of impregnating compouds (nickel nitrate, urea, and ethyl alcohol) in solution, graphite treatment (oxidation)
conditions before supporting Ni(II) compounds, and the pyrolysis temperature of C3–C4 alkanes in the range of 400–
600
C. Optimum conditions for preparing CFC/graphite composite materials, which are promising for use as elec-
trodes in microbial fuel cells (MFCs), were chosen. The electrochemical characteristics of an MFC designed
with the use of a CFC/graphite electrode (anode) and Gluconobacter oxydans glycerol-oxidizing bacteria were
studied. The morphology of the surfaces of graphite, synthesized CFC, and also bacterial cells adhered to the
anode was studied by scanning electron microscopy.
DOI: 10.1134/S0023158411040069
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