Research progress of MOFs/carbon nanocomposites on promoting ORR in microbial fuel cell cathodes

With the rapid development of the economy, energy demand is more urgent. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have the advantages of non-toxic, safety, and environmental protection, and are considered the ideal choice for the next generation of energy storage equipment. However, the slow kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on MFC air cathodes and the high cost of traditional platinum (Pt) catalysts hinder their practical application, so there is a need to develop efficient, low-cost, and stable electrocatalysts as alternatives. Recently, metal–organic framework (MOFs) has attracted wide attention in electrocatalysis. Electrocatalysts prepared by the nanocomposite of MOFs and carbon nanomaterials have multiple advantages, such as adjustable chemical properties, high specific surface area, and good electrical conductivity, which have been proven to be a promising electrocatalytic material. In this paper, the latest research progress of metal–organic frames (MOFs) and carbon nanocomposites is reviewed, and the preparation methods and modification of MOFs and carbon nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, and graphene composites are introduced, respectively, as well as their applications in MFC cathode. Finally, the main prospects of MOFs/carbon nanocomposite catalysts are put forward.