Abiotic Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalysts Used in Microbial Fuel Cells

Abstract

Abstract Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are environmentally friendly technology capable of extracting electrical energy from organic contaminants in wastewaters. The cathodic reaction limits the performance of MFCs. An oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst is generally used for the oxygen cathode to reduce the overpotential and obtain more energy. Through surveying abiotic catalysts used in MFCs, this review introduces the ORR catalysis mechanism, influencing factors for catalyst performance, and provides outlooks on further applications of ORR catalysts.