Citation: Tingli Ren, Yuanfeng Liu, Congju Li. Tailoring anode properties with carbon nanofiber-interpenetrated graphene aerogels for high-performance bioelectrochemical systems[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(5): 111274. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111274 shu

Tailoring anode properties with carbon nanofiber-interpenetrated graphene aerogels for high-performance bioelectrochemical systems

Tingli Ren ^a ,
Yuanfeng Liu ^{a, b, *,} ,
Congju Li ^{a, c, *,}

a.
School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
b.
The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, College of Environment Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
c.
College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China

liuyuanfeng1113@126.com

congjuli@126.com

Received Date: 18 February 2025
Revised Date: 25 April 2025
Accepted Date: 28 April 2025
Available Online: 29 April 2025

Figures(3)

The poor biofilm colonization, charge transfer, and storage at the anode have long been major obstacles to achieving high power generation in bioelectrochemical systems (BES). To overcome this challenge, we developed electrospun carbon nanofiber-interpenetrated reduced graphene oxide aerogels (CNF/rGO-x, where x denotes the mass ratio of CNF to rGO, with x = 2, 4, 6) to modify the surface of carbon cloth (CC), significantly enhancing its electrochemical performance. The CNF/rGO-6 aerogel featured a porous, interconnected conductive scaffold, endowing the CC electrode with a larger electrochemically active area, higher specific capacitance, and a rougher surface. These properties significantly improved biofilm adhesion, extracellular electron transfer, and charge storage capabilities. As a result, the BES equipped with a CNF/rGO-6 electrode achieved an impressive power density of 3080.3 mW/m², significantly higher than those of BES with CNF/rGO-4 (2426.3 mW/m²), CNF/rGO-2 (2717 mW/m²), rGO (1978.3 mW/m²), and pure CC (1050.4 mW/m²) electrodes. Furthermore, the CNF/rGO-6 electrode supported a high abundance of electroactive bacteria and enhanced their viability. With its simple fabrication, low weight, and exceptional electrochemical performance, the CNF/rGO-6 aerogel demonstrates significant potential as an electrode material for high-performance and cost-effective BES.
- Electroactive biofilm,
- Bioelectrochemical system,
- Power density,
- Carbon nanofibers,
- Graphene aerogel
1. [1]
  X. Wu, D. Sun, M. Li, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 487 (2024) 150634. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2024.150634
2. [2]
  M. Lai, J. Hong, X. Xu, et al., Sens. Actuators B Chem. 422 (2025) 136614. doi: 10.1016/j.snb.2024.136614
3. [3]
  C. Li, K. Omine, Z. Zhang, et al., Energy Convers. Manag. 279 (2023) 116771. doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2023.116771
4. [4]
  A.A. Al-Abbas, Z.Z. Ismail, J. Environ. Manag. 369 (2024) 122353. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122353
5. [5]
  H.Z. Hamdan, D.A. Salam, Environ. Chem. Lett. 21 (2023) 2761–2787. doi: 10.1007/s10311-023-01625-y
6. [6]
  R.S. Chouhan, S. Gandhi, S.K. Verma, et al., Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 188 (2023) 113813. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2023.113813
7. [7]
  C. Hou, D. Yang, B. Liang, et al., Anal. Chem. 86 (2014) 6057–6063. doi: 10.1021/ac501203n
8. [8]
  M. Hu, Y. Lin, X. Li, et al., Electrochim. Acta. 404 (2022) 139618. doi: 10.1016/j.electacta.2021.139618
9. [9]
  Y. Zhang, F. Gao, D. Wang, et al., Coord. Chem. Rev. 475 (2023) 214916. doi: 10.1016/j.ccr.2022.214916
10. [10]
  Y. Zhang, Z. Li, K. Zhang, et al., Appl. Surf. Sci. 590 (2022) 153102. doi: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2022.153102
11. [11]
  L.O. Hirsch, B. Gandu, A. Chiliveru, et al., Microorganisms. 12 (2024) 604. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms12030604
12. [12]
  Y. Liu, Y. Sun, M. Zhang, et al., J. Colloid Interface Sci. 629 (2023) 970–979. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.09.130
13. [13]
  C.J. Kirubaharan, J.W. Wang, S.Z. Abbas, et al., Chemosphere 326 (2023) 138413. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138413
14. [14]
  T.L. Ren, Y.F. Liu, C.H. Shi, et al., J. Colloid Interface Sci. 643 (2023) 428–436. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.04.056
15. [15]
  Y. Wang, L. Wu, K. Qu, et al., Carbon 228 (2024) 119429. doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2024.119429
16. [16]
  M. Xu, L. Wu, M. Zhu, et al., Carbon 193 (2022) 242–257. doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2022.03.024
17. [17]
  X. Ji, X. Li, C. Wang, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 35 (2024) 109388. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109388
18. [18]
  F. Liu, Y. Yang, M. Xu, et al., Mater. Today Energy 39 (2024) 101464. doi: 10.1016/j.mtener.2023.101464
19. [19]
  H. Wu, H. Tan, L. Chen, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 32 (2021) 2499–2502. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2020.12.048
20. [20]
  K.I. Hadjiivanov, D.A. Panayotov, M.Y. Mihaylov, et al., Chem. Rev. 121 (2020) 1286–1424.
21. [21]
  T. Lin, W. Ding, L. Sun, et al., Nano Energy 50 (2018) 639–648. doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2018.05.072
22. [22]
  E. Mevers, L. Su, G. Pishchany, et al., eLife 8 (2019) e48054. doi: 10.7554/eLife.48054
23. [23]
  H. Tian, J. Qin, D. Hou, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 58 (2019) 10173–10178. doi: 10.1002/anie.201903684
24. [24]
  B.A. Hemdan, D.A. Jadhav, A. Dutta, et al., J. Water Process Eng. 54 (2023) 104065. doi: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.104065
25. [25]
  Y. Wang, Renew. Energy 232 (2024) 121109. doi: 10.1016/j.renene.2024.121109
26. [26]
  S. Jin, Y. Feng, J. Jia, et al., Energy Environ. Mater. 6 (2023) e12373. doi: 10.1002/eem2.12373
27. [27]
  X. Sun, X.S. Wu, Z.Z. Shi, et al., J. Power Sources 530 (2022) 231277. doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2022.231277
28. [28]
  H.A. Bandal, A.A. Pawar, H. Kim, Electrochim. Acta 422 (2022) 140545. doi: 10.1016/j.electacta.2022.140545
29. [29]
  S. You, M. Ma, W. Wang, et al., Adv. Energy Mater. 7 (2017) 1601364. doi: 10.1002/aenm.201601364
30. [30]
  Y. Hu, J.O. Jensen, W. Zhang, et al., ChemSusChem 7 (2014) 2099–2103. doi: 10.1002/cssc.201402183
31. [31]
  L.B. Zong, X. Chen, S.M. Dou, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 32 (2021) 1121–1126. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2020.08.029
32. [32]
  S. Xu, J. Chen, H. Peng, et al., Fuel 291 (2021) 120128. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2021.120128
33. [33]
  D. Jiang, H. Xie, H. Chen, et al., Int. J. Hydrogen Energy 47 (2022) 35458–35467. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.08.117
34. [34]
  B. Kim, G. Baek, C. Kim, et al., ACS ES&T Eng. 4 (2024) 1520–1539. doi: 10.1021/acsestengg.4c00077
35. [35]
  L. Zou, Y. Qiao, Z.Y. Wu, et al., Adv. Energy Mater. 6 (2015) 1501535.
36. [36]
  D. Guo, X. Wang, Q. Fu, et al., Chemosphere 363 (2024) 142858. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142858
37. [37]
  S. Liu, Z. Li, D. Liang, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 473 (2023) 145443. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2023.145443
38. [38]
  T. Zhao, Z. Qiu, Y. Zhang, et al., J. Environ. Chem. Eng. 9 (2021) 105441. doi: 10.1016/j.jece.2021.105441
39. [39]
  Y. Hubenova, E. Hubenova, B. Burdin, et al., Electrochim. Acta 312 (2019) 432–440. doi: 10.1016/j.electacta.2019.05.012
40. [40]
  L. Chen, L. Jiang, L. Cheng, et al., Chemosphere 350 (2024) 141073. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.141073
41. [41]
  J. Wang, B. Li, S.P. Wang, et al., J. Clean. Prod. 341 (2022) 130725. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.130725
42. [42]
  B.S. Thapa, T. Kim, S. Pandit, et al., Bioresour. Technol. 347 (2022) 126579.
43. [43]
  R.J. Marassi, M.B.G. López, L.G. Queiroz, et al., Biochem. Eng. J. 178 (2022) 108283. doi: 10.1016/j.bej.2021.108283
44. [44]
  Y. Wang, Y. Chen, Q. Wen, et al., Energy 189 (2019) 116342. doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2019.116342
45. [45]
  Y.Y. Fang, B.Z. Yuan, Y.J. Jiang, et al., J. Mater. Chem. A 10 (2022) 4915–4925. doi: 10.1039/d1ta10611b
46. [46]
  L. Zhang, R. Wang, H. Li, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 500 (2024) 156807. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2024.156807
47. [47]
  L. Han, P.V. Chang, Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol. 76 (2023) 102351. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.102351
48. [48]
  S. Peng, J. Li, Y. Hu, et al., Small 20 (2024) 2407614. doi: 10.1002/smll.202407614
49. [49]
  X.Q. Lin, Z.L. Li, X.Q. Chen, et al., Bioresour. Technol. 416 (2025) 131723.
50. [50]
  Y. Lu, K. Feng, C. Wu, et al., Energy Fuels 36 (2022) 514–520. doi: 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.1c03043
51. [51]
  Y. Gao, M. Liu, X. Zhao, et al., Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf. 225 (2021) 112785.
52. [52]
  B. Zhang, S. Shi, R. Tang, et al., Biotechnol. Adv. 66 (2023) 108175.
1. [1]
  Fanjun Kong , Yixin Ge , Shi Tao , Zhengqiu Yuan , Chen Lu , Zhida Han , Lianghao Yu , Bin Qian . Engineering and understanding SnS_0.5Se_0.5@N/S/Se triple-doped carbon nanofibers for enhanced sodium-ion batteries. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(4): 108552-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108552
2. [2]
  Ning Liu , Man Tian , Ye Zhang , Jinming Yang , Zhihao Wang , Wangxi Dai , Guixiang Quan , Jianqiu Lei , Xiaodong Zhang , Liang Tang . Three-dimensional MIL-88A(Fe)-derived α-Fe₂O₃ and graphene composite for efficient photo-Fenton-like degradation of ciprofloxacin. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(12): 111063-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111063
3. [3]
  Jiaojiao Liang , Youming Peng , Zhichao Xu , Yufei Wang , Menglong Liu , Xin Liu , Di Huang , Yuehua Wei , Zengxi Wei . Boron/phosphorus co-doped nitrogen-rich carbon nanofiber with flexible anode for robust sodium-ion battery. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(1): 110452-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110452
4. [4]
  Jingxuan Liu , Shiqi Zhao , Xiang Wu . Flexible electrochemical capacitor based NiMoSSe electrode material with superior cycling and structural stability. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(7): 109059-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109059
5. [5]
  Guilong Li , Wenbo Ma , Jialing Zhou , Caiqin Wu , Chenling Yao , Huan Zeng , Jian Wang . A composite hydrogel with porous and homogeneous structure for efficient osmotic energy conversion. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(2): 110449-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110449
6. [6]
  Peining Zhu , Xi Guo , Qinqin Yu , Zuyong Wang , Xiangxiao Lei , Zhiwei Zhu , Juan Du , Xiaojia Zhang , Yuan-Li Ding . Design strategies of Si-based anode for solid-state batteries. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(9): 111383-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111383
7. [7]
  Qiang-Qiang Jia , Jia-Qi Luo , Zhi-Yu Xue , Jing-Song Tang , Wen-Qiang Qiu , Chang-Feng Wang , Zhi-Xu Zhang , Hai-Feng Lu , Yi Zhang , Da-Wei Fu . Enhanced output power density of PVDF/LM composite for piezoelectric sensor. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(11): 110471-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110471
8. [8]
  Zhilong Xie , Guohui Zhang , Ya Meng , Yefei Tong , Jian Deng , Honghui Li , Qingqing Ma , Shisong Han , Wenjun Ni . A natural nano-platform: Advances in drug delivery system with recombinant high-density lipoprotein. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(11): 109584-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109584
9. [9]
  Qingming Zeng , Yanjun Wen , Beibei Gao , Qingyan Zhang , Lulin Guo , Chao Zhang , Jiachen Wang , Qingyi Zeng . Self-driven photoelectrocatalytic systems with carbon-felt-loaded carboxylated carbon nanotube cathodes: Reduction of uranyl, oxidation of organics, and power generation. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(9): 110673-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110673
10. [10]
  Jie XIE , Hongnan XU , Jianfeng LIAO , Ruoyu CHEN , Lin SUN , Zhong JIN . Nitrogen-doped 3D graphene-carbon nanotube network for efficient lithium storage. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2024, 40(10): 1840-1849. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20240216
11. [11]
  Wenhao Feng , Chunli Liu , Zheng Liu , Huan Pang . In-situ growth of N-doped graphene-like carbon/MOF nanocomposites for high-performance supercapacitor. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(12): 109552-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109552
12. [12]
  Wenjing Xiong , Yulin Xu , Fangzhou Zhao , Baokai Xia , Hongqiang Wang , Wei Liu , Sheng Chen , Yongzhi Zhang . Graphene architecture interpenetrated with mesoporous carbon nanosheets promotes fast and stable potassium storage. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(4): 109738-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109738
13. [13]
  Xilin Bai , Wei Deng , Jingjuan Wang , Ming Zhou . Enrichment-enhanced detection strategy in the optimized monitoring system of dopamine with carbon dots-based probe. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(2): 109959-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109959
14. [14]
  Dongping Song , Tao Tu . The role of oceanic carbon pumps in Earth’s climate system: Impact and feedback under climate change. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(8): 111300-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111300
15. [15]
  Chen-Xin Wang , Guang-Lei Li , Yu Hang , Dan-Feng Lu , Jian-Qi Ye , Hao Su , Bing Hou , Tao Suo , Dan Wen . Shock-resistant wearable pH sensor based on tungsten oxide aerogel. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(7): 110502-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110502
16. [16]
  Bin Zhao , Heping Luo , Jiaqing Liu , Sha Chen , Han Xu , Yu Liao , Xue Feng Lu , Yan Qing , Yiqiang Wu . S-doped carbonized wood fiber decorated with sulfide heterojunction-embedded S, N-doped carbon microleaf arrays for efficient high-current-density oxygen evolution. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(5): 109919-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109919
17. [17]
  Di An , Mingdong She , Ziyang Zhang , Ting Zhang , Miaomiao Xu , Jinjun Shao , Qian Shen , Xuna Tang . Light-responsive nanomaterials for biofilm removal in root canal treatment. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(2): 109841-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109841
18. [18]
  Ya-Ting Gao , Yi-Lin Zhu , Xiao-Yuan Wang , Li-Ya Liang , Meng-Li Liu , Shuai Chang , Han-Bin Xu , Da-Wei Li , Bin-Bin Chen . Pure organic electrophosphorochromism system. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(11): 110855-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110855
19. [19]
  Xinyu Zeng , Zhuofan Zeng , Qingqing Hu , Kejun Liu , Lei Ming , Bei Cheng , Wang Wang , Guoqiang Luo , Shaowen Cao . Hierarchical Pt/NiO hollow nanofibers for catalytic oxidation of HCHO at room temperature. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2025, 44(6): 100575-100575. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2025.100575
20. [20]
  Yang Liu , Leilei Zhang , Kaixuan Liu , Ling-Ling Wu , Hai-Yu Hu . Penicillin G acylase-responsive near-infrared fluorescent probe: Unravelling biofilm regulation and combating bacterial infections. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(11): 109759-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109759

Get Citation

PDF

XML

Metrics

PDF Downloads(0)
Abstract views(19)
HTML views(2)

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

1.
沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142