Nanoporous Cellulose Acetate-Coated Polypropylene Membranes for Microbial Fuel Cells: Enhanced Long-Term Stability, Fouling Resistance, and Reverse Voltage Suppression

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) represent a sustainable energy technology but face limitations such as membrane fouling and reverse voltage in series systems. In this study, a nanoporous cellulose acetate (CA) membrane was fabricated on a polypropylene support using gas pressurization, with glycerin as a plasticizer to induce pore formation. This process yielded uniform, interconnected sponge-like pores while preserving mechanical and thermal stability. The membrane suppressed microbial attachment and organic/inorganic crystallization, ensuring long-term stability. The system achieved a maximum power density of 2.34 W/m3 and maintained an average of 1.21 W/m3 over 481 days. Performance remained stable under both series and parallel configurations, highlighting scalability. These findings demonstrate that the developed membrane provides a durable and practical platform for enhancing MFC performance in long-term applications.