Anode Modification as an Alternative Approach to Improve Electricity Generation in Microbial Fuel Cells

Abstract

Sustainable production of electricity from renewable sources by microorganisms is considered an attractive alternative to energy production from fossil fuels. In recent years, research on microbial fuel cells (MFCs) technology for electricity production has increased. However, there are problems with up-scaling MFCs due to the fairly low power output and high operational costs. One of the approaches to improving energy generation in MFCs is by modifying the existing anode materials to provide more electrochemically active sites and improve the adhesion of microorganisms. The aim of this review is to present the effect of anode modification with carbon compounds, metallic nanomaterials, and polymers and the effect that these modifications have on the structure of the microbiological community inhabiting the anode surface. This review summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of individual materials as well as possibilities for using them for environmentally friendly production of electricity in MFCs.

Bio-electrochemical frameworks governing microbial fuel cell performance: technical bottlenecks and proposed solutions

“…While the majority of previous research focused on the use of carbon-based materials and metal/metal oxides. 68,[76][77][78] Over years, these conventional materials were phased out in favor of more advanced materials that showed efficient MFC performance. The conventional carbonbased materials, shown in Fig.…”

Application of graphene inlow‐temperaturefuel cell technology: An overview

“…However, carbon electro corrosion becomes one of the performance reductions issues. In this regard, numerous studies have demonstrated that carbon‐based especially graphene can reduce corrosion issues, especially on metallic bipolar plates in fuel cell application 150,151 . This is related to graphene which has a very stable factor of outstanding physical and chemical properties, such as its high specific surface area (2630 m 2 g −1 ) outstanding electrical conductivity, and extraordinary biocompatibility on graphene all this can be used to solve corrosion issues with a simple solution.…”

Microbial fuel cell performance for aromatic hydrocarbon bioremediation and common effluent treatment plant wastewater treatment with bioelectricity generation through series-parallel connection

“…2010; Nosek et al . 2020). Recent studies were focused on use of carbon nanotube and graphene as carbon material in electrode to enhance the surface area leading to good biofilm formation with efficient exoelectron transfer (Fan et al .…”