In situ Growth of Zeolite Imidazole Frameworks (ZIF-67) on Carbon Cloth for the Application of Oxygen Reduction Reactions and Microbial Fuel Cells

[Image: see text] Developing high surface area catalysts is an effective strategy to enhance the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in the application of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). This can be achieved by developing a catalyst based on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) because they offer a porous active site for ORR. In this work, a novel in situ growth of 2D shell nanowires of ZIF-67 as a template for N-doped carbon (Co/NC) via a carbonization route was developed to enhance the ORR performance. The effects of different reaction times and different annealing temperatures were studied for a better ORR activity. The growth of the MOF template on the carbon cloth was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared. The Co/NC-800 exhibited an enhancement in the ORR activity as evidenced by an onset potential and half-wave potential of 0.0 vs V Ag/AgCl and −0.1 vs V Ag/AgCl, respectively, with a limited current density exceeding the commercial Pt/C. Operating Co/NC-800 on MFC revealed a maximum power density of 30 ± 2.5 mW/m(2), a maximum current density of 180 ± 2.5 mA/m(2).