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Flexible and Stretchable Biobatteries: Monolithic Integration of Membrane‐Free Microbial Fuel Cells in a Single Textile Layer
Author(s) -
Pang Sumiao,
Gao Yang,
Choi Seokheun
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced energy materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.08
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1614-6840
pISSN - 1614-6832
DOI - 10.1002/aenm.201702261
Subject(s) - microbial fuel cell , materials science , fabrication , anode , substrate (aquarium) , cathode , textile , layer (electronics) , nanotechnology , overpotential , electrical conductor , power density , electrode , composite material , power (physics) , electrochemistry , electrical engineering , chemistry , medicine , physics , oceanography , alternative medicine , engineering , pathology , quantum mechanics , geology
The fabrication and performance of a flexible and stretchable microbial fuel cell (MFC) monolithically integrated into a single sheet of textile substrate are reported. The single‐layer textile MFC uses Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1) as a biocatalyst to produce a maximum power of 6.4 µW cm −2 and current density of 52 µA cm −2 , which are substantially higher than previous textile‐MFCs and are similar to other flexible paper‐based MFCs. The textile MFC demonstrates a stable performance with repeated stretching and twisting cycles. The membrane‐less single‐chamber configuration drastically simplifies the fabrication and improves the performance of the MFC. A conductive and hydrophilic anode in a 3D fabric microchamber maximizes bacterial electricity generation from a liquid environment and a silver oxide/silver solid‐state cathode reduces cathodic overpotential for fast catalytic reaction. A simple batch fabrication approach simultaneously constructs 35 individual devices, which will revolutionize the mass production of textile MFCs. This stretchable and twistable power device printed directly onto a single textile substrate can establish a standardized platform for textile‐based biobatteries and will be potentially integrated into wearable electronics in the future.