Microbial Fuel Cell Performance Enhancement through Modification of Nafion Membrane Using Sulfuric Acid-Doped Polyaniline

In the face of dwindling energy resources and the alarming surge in harmful greenhouse gas emissions, there is a crucial shift towards embracing renewable energy solutions that minimize environmental impact. For this goal, Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) are used as a dual-purpose technology; functioning potentially as great energy generators and environmental cleansers. This study delves into the enhancement of MFCs’ efficiency through the customization of the Nafion proton exchange membrane using sulfuric acid-doped polyaniline. Due to this quality, Polyaniline was selected for its robustness and high electrical conductivity. Later, it was electrochemically deposited onto the Nafion membrane, employing a method rooted in electrochemistry. Experimental trials involved a dual-chamber MFC, employing Escherichia coli and glucose as substrates. Assessing the Nafion membrane s condition using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), the MFC with the modified Nafion membrane exhibited significantly higher maximum current density (285 mA/cm2) and power density (36 mW/cm2) compared to its pristine Nafion counterpart; titled (165 mA/cm2) and (14.5 mW/cm2) respectively. A comparison with the polarization curve displays an improvement in the microbial fuel cell s performance attributed to the Nafion membrane modification.