A comprehensive study on transparent conducting oxides in compact microbial fuel cells: Integrated spectroscopic and electrochemical analyses for monitoring biofilm growth

Abstract

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are an emerging technology that holds promise for renewable energy production and the mitigation of environmental challenges. This research paper introduces a single-compartment MFC reactor that utilizes transparent conducting oxides (TCOs), such as fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) and indium tin oxides (ITO), as the working electrodes. The effectiveness of MFCs based on FTO and ITO was evaluated by characterizing the transparent electrode and examining its performance during biofilm cultivation. Additionally, the optical properties of the biofilm grown directly on these electrodes were investigated using LEDs as a light source. The impressive average current density of 200 μA cm−2 over 100 days demonstrates the efficiency of the see-through electrodes in bioenergy extraction. The correlation between spectroscopic and microscopic analyses substantiates the feasibility of employing transparent electrodes for accurate quantification of biofilm thickness, with an initial accuracy of ±10 μm in the initial cycle, ±22 μm in the subsequent cycle, and a maximum of ±31 μm after seven days of growth. This innovative approach holds great potential for advancing our understanding of MFCs and their application in environmentally friendly energy generation and optical-based monitoring.