A flexible and disposable battery powered by bacteria using eyeliner coated paper electrodes

- A facile paper-based electrode fabrication process for microbial fuel cells (MFCs).
- Whatman filter paper is demonstrated as support for electrode and separator of the MFC devices.
- Commercially available eyeliner as conductive ink for the electrode fabrication.
- Rapid start-up of MFC device that yields a power of 12.5 W/m3.

Herein, an environment friendly paper-based biobattery is demonstrated that yields a power of 12.5 W/m3. Whatman filter papers were used not only as support for electrode fabrication but also as separator of the biobattery. To provide electrical conductivity to the paper-based cathode and anode, commercially available eyeliner containing carbon nanoparticles and Fe3O4 was directly employed as conductive ink without any binder. With an instant start-up, the as-fabricated biocompatible electrodes could hold bacteria in an active form at the anode allowing chemical oxidation of organic fuel producing current. The facile process delineated here can be employed for the tailored electrode fabrication of various flexible energy harnessing devices.