Barium titanate-modified carbon cloth for high-performance air-cathode microbial fuel cells

In this study, an evaluation of textile-based cathodes and their surface modifications is conducted to enhance the performance of air-cathode MFCs. Among the tested materials, carbon cloth (CC) modified with Barium Titanate (BaTiO₃) demonstrated the highest power output of 9.81 µW/cm², outperforming both unmodified and other modified electrodes. Electrochemical characterization using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) confirmed improved electron transfer and reduced charge transfer resistance, while nitrogen adsorption–desorption (BET) analysis revealed a high surface area and mesoporous structure for BaTiO₃, correlating strongly with its enhanced electrochemical activity. Structural and compositional analyses via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) validated successful perovskite modification. Electrolyte analysis revealed a neutral pH of 7.04 and a chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 1500 mg/L before operation, indicating a suitable environment for microbial activity and energy harvesting. Repeatability analysis over 10 operational cycles showed exceptional consistency with CC/BaTiO₃ achieving 89.97 % repeatability, and all CC-based electrodes maintaining over 45 % stability of the peak power obtained during a 3-hour operational run. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed favorable surface morphology supporting enhanced electrochemical activity. These results establish CC/BaTiO₃ as a robust and high-performing cathode material, offering significant potential for scalable, efficient, and reliable air-cathode MFC applications. The work ahead may focus on integrating CC/BaTiO 3 as the electrode materials into miniaturized Air-Cathode MFCs for real-world and real-time energy harvesting applications. • BaTiO₃-modified carbon cloth developed as a low-cost air cathode for MFCs. • Modification enhanced oxygen reduction activity over bare carbon cloth. • Power output reached 9.81 µW/cm², a 150 % rise with stable performance.