BACKGROUND: A microbial fuel cell (MFC) consisting of anaerobic and aerobic chambers separated by a salt-agar slab was used for electricity generation with simultaneous wastewater treatment where copper and gold covered copper wires were used as anode and cathode, respectively. The electrons produced from degradation of carbohydrates in anaerobic chamber traveled through the copper wire generating electricity and the protons were transferred from cathode to anode through the salt-agar slab. Variation of the current intensity (mA) and the electrical power (mW) were investigated as function of the surface area of anode and also the chemical oxygen demand (COD) content of the synthetic wastewater. RESULTS: The generated power density (mW m(-2)) increased with increasing surface area of the electrodes and also with the COD content of the wastewater. Both the current intensity (mA) and the power generated (mW) increased with time and reached maximum levels at the end of batch operation. More than 80% COD removal was achieved in the aerobic chamber with an electricity generation of 2.9 mW m(-2) when the initial COD content was 6000 mg l(-1). CONCLUSION: The MFC configuration and the use of Cu and Cu-Au electrodes instead of graphite were proven to be effective for electricity generation with simultaneous wastewater treatment. The electrical current (0.24 mA) and power (2.9 mW m(-2)) obtained in our microbial fuel cell are comparable with the literature studies utilizing salt bridge. The microbial fuel cell developed in this study can be improved further to yield higher power generations by modifications. (c) 2007 Society of Chemical Industry.