Performance Study of Composite Membrane in Microbial Fuel Cell For Enhanced Power Generation and Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are gaining attention as an environmentally friendly technology because they can treat wastewater while simultaneously producing electricity. In this study, a double-chamber microbial fuel cell was developed using textile wastewater as the inoculum and substrate source. A low-cost composite proton exchange membrane (PEM) was prepared using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), potassium chloride (KCl), and agar, and was chemically crosslinked with glutaraldehyde to improve its mechanical strength and ionic conductivity. The performance of this composite membrane was then compared with that of a conventional membrane under the same operating conditions. The experimental results showed a significant improvement in power generation when the composite membrane was used. The conventional membrane produced a maximum voltage of 0.242 V, whereas the PVA–KCl–agar composite membrane achieved a much higher voltage of 0.467 V. This improved performance is mainly due to the better electrical conductivity, larger surface area, and enhanced electrochemical activity of the composite membrane. These properties helped microorganisms attach more effectively to the electrode surface and allowed faster electron transfer during microbial activity, leading to improved electricity generation. In addition, the composite membrane provided better stability and supported efficient microbial growth and biofilm formation inside the MFC system. The findings clearly indicate that the composite membrane performs more efficiently than the conventional membrane in terms of electrochemical performance and sustainable energy production. Overall, this study demonstrates that the developed PVA–KCl–agar composite membrane can serve as an effective, low-cost, and eco-friendly alternative for microbial fuel cell applications. The system not only enhances bioelectricity generation but also offers a sustainable approach for treating industrial textile wastewater and reducing environmental pollution.