Biofouling and sluggish kinetics on the cathode surface reduce the power generation of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Herein, ZIF-derived Cu2O@Co/N-doped carbon (Cu2O@Co/NC) was used as an antibacterial oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst for MFCs. As an antibacterial agent on the cathode surface, Cu2O can inhibit the overgrowth of biofilm, ensure the diffusion channel of OH- ions, and reduce the electron transfer resistance in ORR. The interaction between Cu2O and Co/NC was described by charge density analysis. The charge redistribution can promote adsorption of O2 molecules resulting in enhanced ORR activity. The Cu2O@Co/NC cathode demonstrated superior ORR activities due to half-wave potential of 0.80 V and onset potential of 0.89 V versus RHE. The corresponding MFCs gained a maximum power density of 1100 mW m-2 after 450 h of operation, which was higher than that of Co/NC (739 mW m-2) and similar to that of commercial Pt/C (1067 mW m-2). Our work provides a strategy to achieve high power density of MFCs by combining the advantages of Cu2O and Co/NC catalysts.

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