Research Information System
FUEL CELLS, vol.26, no.2, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
The rise of industrialization, escalating expenses, and the fast exhaustion of resources have made it necessary to seek alternative energy sources and evaluate waste materials. Utilizing energy from waste is considered a viable approach for sustainable energy generation and minimizing ecological issues. In recent years, microbial fuel cells (MFCs), demonstrated to be effective for the treatment of organic and inorganic pollutants in wastewater and for electricity generation, have garnered significant interest. MFC is a system that biochemically oxidizes organic molecules into electrical energy using microorganisms. This study involved the production of "Cu-doped composite membrane" with recycled polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and copper(II) nitrate trihydrate (Cu(NO3)2 & centerdot;3H2O) using the technique of electrospinning as well as the anode electrode was prepared from KOH-modified biochar derived from spent coffee waste (SCW). The fabricated membranes were characterized using water uptake, porosity, mechanical strength, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) tests, along with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. Biochar characterization was performed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and proximate analysis (volatile matter, fixed carbon, and ash content). The results indicated that increasing Cu concentration enhanced the mechanical strength and CEC of the membranes but reduced water retention and porosity due to the intrinsic properties of Cu. MFC performance tests revealed that the 1% Cu-doped PVDF membrane achieved the highest voltage output and a balanced overall performance. The 1% Cu-doped PVDF membrane achieved a maximum voltage output of 600 mV and a maximum current density of approximately 350 mA/m2, offering a balanced overall performance. These results suggest that Cu-doped PVDF membranes and biochar-based anodes offer a sustainable and effective approach to enhancing MFC performance for generating energy and the treatment of wastewater.