A Paper-Based Bio Fuel Cell Generating Power from the Biofilm of Bacillus Subtilis Bacteria

Abstract

In this research, we fabricated a low-cost, disposable, paper-based bio fuel cell that used an activated carbon-based anode with the pre-inoculated biofilm of Bacillus Subtilis bacteria. The biofilm anode was dried for long-term storage and the bio fuel cell could generate electricity on-demand within some minutes after adding a drop of tap water to the dry biofilm anode. The anodic activated carbon substrate was treated by a plasma cleaner to increase hydrophilization before inoculating bacterial biofilm. The fuel cell case was made of a normal paper filter. We integrated directly the air-cathode and proton exchange membrane on the fuel cell case. The paper-based bio fuel cell can be potentially used for micropower biosensor applications.

A biodegradable water-activated battery: using an activated carbon-based anode and a CNT-based air-cathode

“…The proposed WAB had a different mechanism from the traditional metal-based WAB, where water forms the electrolyte with ions produced by metal-based electrode reactions and a soluble salt [14]. The power generation capacity of the reported paper-based WAB was comparable to that of paper-based microbial fuel cells [15,16]. With the advantages of low cost, abundance, and sustainability, ACP is a promising sustainable energy resource, which is worth investigating further to discover novel applications.…”