A simple MBR-MFC system is developed for wastewater treatment and energy recovery without using any noble metal. A low cost, conductive polyester filter cloth, modified by in situ formed PANi (polyaniline)-phytic acid (PA) is tested as cathode, obtaining a maximum power density (44.80 mW/m(2)), using 500 Omega external resistor and graphite granule as the anode. Further, replacing graphite granule anode with the modified membrane, power density at 13.02 mW/m(2) is obtained with inoculated Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 (S. oneidensis MR-1). And the COD removal efficiencies can reach 95% in the integrated system. This suggests that the PANi-PA modified membrane is applicable as anode and cathode in MBR-MFC system for energy recovery. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.