Leila Mahrokh - MSc Student, Institute of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Tehran
Hedayatollah Ghourchian - Professor, Institute of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Tehran
Saeed Mirdamadi - Assistant Professor, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology

Bioelectricity is generated by microbes in microbial fuel cell (MFC). Among the microorganisms Shewanella sp. has proved to be one of the most useful bacteria species for electricity generating. In the present report carbon nano-fiber electrodes were functionalized so that carboxylic acid functional groups were produced on their surface. Bacteria were grown in anode compartment of the cell to form the biofilm on electrode surfaces. The preliminary cyclic voltammetry analysis indicated that pure culture of Shewanella sp. bacteria was able to produce the electric current of 1.2 micro A/cm2. Further study to analyze the electrochemical behavior of bacteria on electrode surface and also optimization of MFC condition are continuing in our laboratory. We also plan to use more functionalized nano-fibers in anode to improve the conductivity.

Microbial fuel cell, Bioenergy, Functionalized nanotubes, Electron transfer