Properties of carbon-based nanofiber with Pd and its application to microbial fuel cells electrode

In this study, carbon nanofiber (CNF) based on a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymer precursor added with Palladium (Pd) was prepared through electrospinning. The physical and chemical properties, such as fiber shape and specific surface area, were compared according to the Pd content of the prepared CNF. The physical properties of CNF varied with increasing Pd content. In addition, CNF was applied as a microbial fuel cells (MFCs) electrode according to Pd content in order to confirm the voltage. As the Pd content of the CNF electrode increased, it was shown that the Pd acted as a catalyst, which enhanced the production of electric energy. This indicates that the Pd content influenced the performance of the MFCs.