Fabrication of Polyaniline/Titanium Dioxide Nanocomposite Anode for Potential Use in Escherichia coli Inoculated Fuel Cell

In the present study, a dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid doped polyaniline titanium dioxide (ds/PANI/TiO2) nanocomposite was prepared through a simple solution mixing technique. Different tools were utilized to look into the physicochemical properties of the prepared composites. The electrochemical performance of the composite was higher than that of PANI alone. The optimized sample was tested for application in Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC). The anode was inoculated with Escherichia coli (E. coli). Glucose was used as substrate, phosphate buffer to maintain the pH at 7.5, and neutral red (NR) as mediator. In the presence of NR mediator, smaller values of charge transfer resistance (Rct 0.1 Ω·cm2), solution resistance (Rs 0.69 Ω·cm2), and equivalent series resistance (ESR 0.79 Ω·cm2) were achieved indicating a faster electron transfer process from the electrolyte toward the electrode.