Using a glass fiber separator in a single-chamber air-cathode microbial fuel cell shortens start-up time and improves anode performance at ambient and mesophilic temperatures

► Using a separator in MFCs shortened start-up time at both 20 °C and 30 °C. ► Using a separator in MFCs enhanced anode performances at both 20 °C and 30 °C. ► MFC with a separator acclimated at 30 °C exhibited adaptability at 20 °C.