| dc.description.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. | en_US |
