DOI: https://doi.org/10.61435/ijred.2026.61677
View PDF Download fulltext

Electrospun PVA/CQD nanofiber–coated carbon anode for high–performance microbial fuel cells: A comparative study

1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Andalas University, Padang 25163, Indonesia

2Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Andalas University, Padang 25163, Indonesia

Received: 18 Aug 2025; Revised: 8 Mar 2026; Accepted: 5 Apr 2026; Available online: 20 Apr 2026; Published: 1 Jul 2026.
Editor(s): H Hadiyanto
Open Access Copyright (c) 2026 The Author(s). Published by Centre of Biomass and Renewable Energy (CBIORE)
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Citation Format:
Abstract

This study details the development of a high-performance microbial fuel cell (MFC) utilizing a nanofiber-coated carbon anode, fabricated through the electrospinning of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) integrated with carbon quantum dots (CQDs). A dual-chamber H-type MFC, with a working volume of 50 mL for both anode and cathode compartments, was operated in batch mode using sterilized sugarcane juice, adjusted to a pH of 7.0, as the organic substrate. Two electrogenic bacteria, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli, were separately immobilized within the PVA/CQD nanofiber matrix to assess their electrochemical performance. Structural and chemical characterizations using SEM, FTIR, and UV–Vis spectroscopy confirmed the successful incorporation of CQDs and effective bacterial colonization within the nanofiber network. Electrochemical studies, such as CV and EIS, indicated low charge transfer resistance and improved electron kinetics especially when B. subtilis was present and an Rct of about 400 ohms. MFCs based on B. subtilis reached a maximum power density of 1754 mW/m² on day four of operation at a fixed external resistance of 100 0 and the electrode surface area of 9.45 cm², about 3.5 times greater than the power density obtained with E. coli (491 mW/m²). This has been due to the high performance of B. subtilis which can form a robust conductive biofilm, releases endogenous redox mediators, and has the ability to metabolize sugar rich substrates efficiently. These findings underscore the potential of PVA/CQD nanofiber-coated carbon anodes as an effective strategy for enhancing MFC performance and provide a promising foundation for future optimization and scale-up toward sustainable energy generation from organic waste at the laboratory level.

Keywords: Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC); Electrogenic microorganisms; Sugarcane juice; Carbon Quantum Dots; Electrospinning nanofiber.

Article Metrics:

Article Info
Section: Original Research Article
Language : EN
Recent articles
Electrospun PVA/CQD nanofiber–coated carbon anode for high–performance microbial fuel cells: A comparative study More recent articles
Most cited articles
Analysing the potential of retrofitting ultra-low heat loss triple vacuum glazed windows to an existing UK solid wall dwelling Wind Power Generation in India: Evolution, Trends and Prospects Fractional Order Sliding Mode Control of PMSG-Wind Turbine Exploiting Clean Energy Resource Woodfuel in Rwanda: Impact on Energy, Poverty, Environment and Policy Instruments analysis Comparative Analysis of Biodiesels from Calabash and Rubber Seeds Oils More cited articles
  1. Angelov, A., Bratkova, S., Ivanov, R., & Velichkova, P. (2023). Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage in a Bioelectrochemical System, Based on an Anodic Microbial Sulfate Reduction. Journal of Ecological Engineering, 24(7), 175–186. https://doi.org/10.12911/22998993/164755
  2. Ben David, N., Mafi, M., Nyska, A., Gross, A., Greiner, A., & Mizrahi, B. (2021). Bacillus subtilis in PVA Microparticles for Treating Open Wounds. ACS Omega, 6(21), 13647–13653. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c00790
  3. Chen, Q., Yan, X., Wu, L., Xiao, Y., Wang, S., Cheng, G., Zheng, R., & Hao, Q. (2021). Small-Nanostructure-Size-Limited Phonon Transport within Composite Films Made of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes and Reduced Graphene Oxides. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 13(4), 5435–5444. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.0c20551
  4. Christwardana, M., Kuntolaksono, S., Septevani, A. A., & Hadiyanto, H. (2024). Starch – carrageenan based low-cost membrane permeability characteristic and its application for yeast microbial fuel cells. International Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 13(2), 303-314. https://doi.org/10.61435/ijred.2024.59160
  5. Christwardana, M., Yoshi, L. A., & Joelianingsih, J. (2021). Energy Harvesting from Sugarcane Bagasse Juice using Yeast Microbial Fuel Cell Technology. Reaktor, 21(2), 52–58. https://doi.org/10.14710/reaktor.21.2.52-58
  6. Colasuonno, F., Bertini, E., Tartaglia, M., Compagnucci, C., & Moreno, S. (2020). Mitochondrial Abnormalities in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells-Derived Motor Neurons from Patients with Riboflavin Transporter Deficiency. Antioxidants, 9(12), 1252. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9121252
  7. Darmawan, D. A., Yulianti, E., Sabrina, Q., Ishida, K., Sakti, A. W., Nakai, H., Pramono, E., & Ndruru, S. T. C. L. (2024). Fabrication of solid polymer electrolyte based on carboxymethyl cellulose complexed with lithium acetate salt as Lithium‐ion battery separator. Polymer Composites, 45(3), 2032–2049. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.27902
  8. Dewi Wijayanti, I., Saputra, A. K., Ibrahim, F., Rasyida, A., Suwarta, P., & Sidharta, I. (2022). An ultra-low-cost and adjustable in-house electrospinning machine to produce PVA nanofiber. https://doi.org/10.17632/vzmd24hzhm.1
  9. Diep, E., & Schiffman, J. D. (2023). Electrospinning Living Bacteria: A Review of Applications from Agriculture to Health Care. ACS Applied Bio Materials, 6(3), 951–964). American Chemical Society. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsabm.2c01055
  10. Dominguez-Medina, S., Kisley, L., Tauzin, L. J., Hoggard, A., Shuang, B., D. S. Indrasekara, A. S., Chen, S., Wang, L.-Y., Derry, P. J., Liopo, A., Zubarev, E. R., Landes, C. F., & Link, S. (2016). Adsorption and Unfolding of a Single Protein Triggers Nanoparticle Aggregation. ACS Nano, 10(2), 2103–2112. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5b06439
  11. Duarte-Urbina, O. J., Rodríguez-Varela, F. J., Fernández-Luqueño, F., Vargas-Gutiérrez, G., Sánchez-Castro, M. E., Escobar-Morales, B., & Alonso-Lemus, I. L. (2021). Bioanodes containing catalysts from onion waste andBacillus subtilisfor energy generation from pharmaceutical wastewater in a microbial fuel cell. New Journal of Chemistry, 45(28), 12634–12646. https://doi.org/10.1039/d1nj01726h
  12. Emodi, N. V., Akuru, U. B., Dioha, M. O., Adoba, P., Kuhudzai, R. J., & Bamisile, O. (2023). The Role of Internet of Things on Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure and Consumer Experience. Energies, 16(10), 4248. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16104248
  13. García-Mayagoitia, S., Fernández-Luqueño, F., Morales-Acosta, D., Carrillo-Rodríguez, J. C., García-Lobato, M. A., de la Torre-Saenz, L., Alonso-Lemus, I. L., & Rodrı́guez-Varela, F. J. (2019). Energy Generation from Pharmaceutical Residual Water in Microbial Fuel Cells Using Ordered Mesoporous Carbon and Bacillus subtilis as Bioanode. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 9b01281. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b01281
  14. García-Mayagotia, S., Rodríguez-Varela, F. J., Fernández-Luqueño, F., Sarabia-Castillo, C. R., Carrillo-Rodríguez, J. C., Alonso-Lemus, I. L., Meléndez-González, P. C., & Escobar-Morales, B. (2023). CONTENIDO Bioelectrochemical behavior of Ordered Mesoporous Carbon + B. Subtilis as bioanode for the Volumenproduction8, númeroof bioenergy3, 2009 / Volumein a Microbial8, numberFuel3, 2009Cell (MFC). Revista Mexicana de Ingeniera Quimica, 22(2). https://doi.org/10.24275/rmiq/Ener2320
  15. Grace, O. M., Lovett, J. C., Gore, C. J. N., Moat, J., Ondo, I., Pironon, S., Langat, M. K., Pérez‐Escobar, O. A., Ross, A., Suzan Abbo, M., Shrestha, K. K., Gowda, B., Farrar, K., Adams, J., Cámara‐Leret, R., Diazgranados, M., Ulian, T., Sagala, S., Rianawati, E., … Wilkin, P. (2020). Plant Power: Opportunities and challenges for meeting sustainable energy needs from the plant and fungal kingdoms. PLANTS, PEOPLE, PLANET, 2(5), 446–462. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10147
  16. Greiner, A., & Wendorff, J. H. (2007). Electrospinning: A Fascinating Method for the Preparation of Ultrathin Fibers. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 46(30), 5670–5703. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.200604646
  17. Hadiyanto, H., Christwardana, M., & da Costa, C. (2023). Electrogenic and biomass production capabilities of a Microalgae–Microbial fuel cell (MMFC) system using tapioca wastewater and Spirulina platensis for COD reduction. Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization and Environmental Effects, 45(2), 3409-3420. https://doi.org/10.1080/15567036.2019.1668085
  18. Hany, A., & Mousa, M. A. (2017). Studies on AC Electrical Conductivity, Dielectric Properties and Ion Transport in PVA polymeric Electrolytes. Journal of Basic and Environmental Sciences, 4(4), 298-304. https://doi.org/10.21608/jbes.2017.369727
  19. Khalaf, M., Saeed, A. M., Ali, A. I., Kamoun, E. A., & Fahmy, A. (2023). Polyelectrolyte membranes based on phosphorylated-PVA/cellulose acetate for direct methanol fuel cell applications: synthesis, instrumental characterization, and performance testing. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 13011. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-40035-6
  20. Kosimaningrum, W. E., Ouis, M., Holade, Y., Buchari, B., Noviandri, I., Kameche, M., Cretin, M., & Innocent, C. (2021). Platinum Nanoarrays Directly Grown onto a 3D-Carbon Felt Electrode as a Bifunctional Material for Garden Compost Microbial Fuel Cell. Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 168(2), 025501. https://doi.org/10.1149/1945-7111/abde7c
  21. Kumuthan, M., Lakshmanan, A., Sabarinathan, K., Subramanian, K., Raja, K., Balachandar, D., & Gomathi, M. (2021). Immobilization and characterization of Bacillus subtilis in PVA-chitosan composite Nanofiber. The Pharma Innovation, 10(12), 1541–1545. https://doi.org/10.22271/tpi.2021.v10.i12v.9616
  22. Kurniawan, T. A., Othman, M. H. D., Liang, X., Ayub, M., Goh, H. H., Kusworo, T. D., Mohyuddin, A., & Chew, K. W. (2022). Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC): A Potential Game-Changer in Renewable Energy Development. In Sustainability (Switzerland) (Vol. 14, Issue 24). MDPI. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416847
  23. Logan, B. E., & Rabaey, K. (2012). Conversion of Wastes into Bioelectricity and Chemicals by Using Microbial Electrochemical Technologies. Science, 337(6095), 686–690. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1217412
  24. Mkilima, T., & Baimukasheva, S. (2025). Performance of a multi-chamber microbial fuel cell with biochar anode for industrial wastewater treatment and energy recovery. Journal of Ecological Engineering, 26(7), 367–380. https://doi.org/10.12911/22998993/203696
  25. Montoya-Vallejo, C., Gil Posada, J. O., & Quintero-Díaz, J. C. (2023). Effect of Glucose and Methylene Blue in Microbial Fuel Cells Using E. Coli. Energies, 16(23), 7901. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16237901
  26. Mulyadi, A. F., Sucipto, Sumarlan, S. H., Indriani, D. W. & Lama’ah, R. A. (2022). Physicochemical characteristics of pulsed electrical field–sterilized sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) juice with added ginger extract. Advances in Food Science, Sustainable Agriculture and Agroindustrial Engineering, 5(2), 171-181 https://doi.org/10.21776/ub.afssaae.2022.005.02.6
  27. Nimje, V. R., Chen, C. Y., Chen, C. C., Jean, J. S., Reddy, A. S., Fan, C. W., Pan, K. Y., Liu, H. T., & Chen, J. L. (2009). Stable and high energy generation by a strain of Bacillus subtilis in a microbial fuel cell. Journal of Power Sources, 190(2), 258–263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.01.019
  28. Obileke, K., Onyeaka, H., Meyer, E. L., & Nwokolo, N. (2021). Microbial fuel cells, a renewable energy technology for bio-electricity generation: A mini-review. Electrochemistry Communications, 125, 107003. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elecom.2021.107003
  29. Rahayuning Wulan, D., & Notodarmojo, S. (2020). Effect of Catholyte Concentration on Current Production During Chocolate Industry Wastewater Treatment by a Microbial Fuel Cell. Makara Journal of Technology, 24(2), 53. https://doi.org/10.7454/mst.v24i2.418
  30. Raihan, A., Rashid, M., Voumik, L. C., Akter, S., & Esquivias, M. A. (2023). The Dynamic Impacts of Economic Growth, Financial Globalization, Fossil Fuel, Renewable Energy, and Urbanization on Load Capacity Factor in Mexico. Sustainability, 15(18), 13462. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151813462
  31. Rasal, A. S., Yadav, S., Yadav, A., Kashale, A. A., Manjunatha, S. T., Altaee, A., & Chang, J.-Y. (2021). Carbon Quantum Dots for Energy Applications: A Review. ACS Applied Nano Materials, 4(7), 6515–6541. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsanm.1c01372
  32. Ren, J., Li, N., Du, M., Zhang, Y., Hao, C., & Hu, R. (2021). Study on the effect of synergy effect between the mixed cultures on the power generation of microbial fuel cells. Bioengineered, 12(1), 844–854. https://doi.org/10.1080/21655979.2021.1883280
  33. Samudro, G., Imai, T., & Hung, Y.-T. (2021). Enhancement of Power Generation and Organic Removal in Double Anode Chamber Designed Dual-Chamber Microbial Fuel Cell (DAC-DCMFC). Water, 13(21), 2941. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13212941
  34. Santoro, C., Arbizzani, C., Erable, B., & Ieropoulos, I. (2017). Microbial fuel cells: From fundamentals to applications. A review. Journal of Power Sources, 356, 225–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.03.109
  35. Suman, Rani, G., Ahlawat, R., & Kumar, H. (2024). Green source-based carbon quantum dots, composites, and key factors for high-performance of supercapacitors. Journal of Power Sources, 617, 235170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2024.235170
  36. Suriani, A. B., Muqoyyanah, Mohamed, A., Alfarisa, S., Mamat, M. H., Ahmad, M. K., Birowosuto, M. D., & Soga, T. (2020). Synthesis, transfer and application of graphene as a transparent conductive film: a review. Bulletin of Materials Science, 43(1), 310. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12034-020-02270-9
  37. Thulasinathan, B., Ebenezer, J. O., Bora, A., Nagarajan, A., Pugazhendhi, A., Jayabalan, T., Nainamohamed, S., Doble, M., & Alagarsamy, A. (2021). Bioelectricity generation and analysis of anode biofilm metabolites from septic tank wastewater in microbial fuel cells. International Journal of Energy Research, 45(12), 17244–17258. https://doi.org/10.1002/er.5734
  38. Trinh, V. L., & Chung, C. K. (2023). Renewable energy for SDG-7 and sustainable electrical production, integration, industrial application, and globalization: Review. Cleaner Engineering and Technology, 15, 100657. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clet.2023.100657
  39. Widharyanti, I. D., Hendrawan, M. A., & Christwardana, M. (2021). Membraneless Plant Microbial Fuel Cell using Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) for Green Energy Generation and Biomass Production. International Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 10(1), 71–78. https://doi.org/10.14710/ijred.2021.32403
  40. Yaqoob, A. A., Ibrahim, M. N. M., & Guerrero-Barajas, C. (2021). Modern trend of anodes in microbial fuel cells (MFCs): An overview. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 23, 101579. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2021.101579
  41. Yaqoob, A. A., Mohamad Ibrahim, M. N., Rafatullah, M., Chua, Y. S., Ahmad, A., & Umar, K. (2020). Recent Advances in Anodes for Microbial Fuel Cells: An Overview. Materials, 13(9), 2078. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13092078
  42. Yavarinasab, A., He, J., Mookherjee, A., Krishnan, N., Pestana, L. R., Fusco, D., Bizzotto, D., & Tropini, C. (2025). Electrogenic dynamics of biofilm formation: Correlation between genetic expression and electrochemical activity in Bacillus subtilis. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 276, 117218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2025.117218
  43. Zhou, Y., Liu, Y., Zhang, M., Feng, Z., Yu, D.-G., & Wang, K. (2022). Electrospun Nanofiber Membranes for Air Filtration: A Review. Nanomaterials, 12(7), 1077. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12071077
  44. Zulfajri, M., Sudewi, S., Ismulyati, S., Rasool, A., Adlim, M., & Huang, G. G. (2021). Carbon Dot/Polymer Composites with Various Precursors and Their Sensing Applications: A Review. Coatings, 11(9), 1100. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings11091100

Last update:

No citation recorded.

Last update: 2026-04-19 09:37:35

No citation recorded.