Microbial fuel cell is emerging as a versatile technology: a review on its possible applications, challenges and strategies to improve the performances

Abstract

Summary Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are emerging as a versatile renewable energy technology. This is particularly because of the multidimensional applications of this eco‐friendly technology. The technology depends on the electroactive bacteria, popularly known as exoelectrogens, to simultaneously produce electric power and treat wastewater. Electrode modifications with nanomaterials such as gold nanoparticles and iron oxide nanoparticles or pretreatment methods such as sonication and autoclave sterilization have shown promising results in enhancing MFC performance for electricity generation and wastewater treatment. The MFC technology has been also investigated for the removal of various heavy metals and toxic elements, and to detect the presence of toxic elements in wastewater. In addition, the MFCs can be modified into microbial electrolysis cells to generate hydrogen energy from various organic matters. This article provides a comprehensive and state‐of‐the‐art review of possible applications of the MFC technology. This also points out the various challenges that limit MFC performance. Finally, this article identifies the strategies to improve MFC performance for different applications. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Highlights State‐of‐the‐art information on major applications of MFCs and strategies to improve them is provided in this article. The basic principles of all the applications are thoroughly discussed. The obstacles that limit the technology to use in real‐world applications are reported. Many approaches such as electrode modification and genetic engineering can be utilized to improve MFC performances.

Innovative multi‐processed N‐doped carbon and Fe 3 O 4 cathode for enhanced bioelectro‐Fenton microbial fuel cell performance

“…Bioelectro‐Fenton microbial fuel cells (BEF‐MFCs) are effective reactors for the treatment of wastewater and conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy by electroactive microorganisms. This technique has been employed for simultaneous wastewater treatment and energy recovery . The main advantage of Fenton reactions is the involvement of ferrous iron and hydrogen peroxide, and this has been proven to be effective over other conventional wastewater treatment methods .…”

“…This technique has been employed for simultaneous wastewater treatment and energy recovery. [1][2][3] The main advantage of Fenton reactions is the involvement of ferrous iron and hydrogen peroxide, [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] and this has been proven to be effective over other conventional wastewater treatment methods. 14 Although the BEF system is very simple, the high cost of hydrogen peroxide and the undesirable recycling of ferrous iron are the major drawbacks for large-scale application in wastewater treatment.…”

Multi‐functional microbial fuel cells for power, treatment and electro‐osmotic purification of urine

“…A ‘circular economy’ would turn goods that are at the end of their service life into resources for others, closing loops in industrial ecosystems and minimising waste. Bioelectrochemical systems such as microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have the capacity to add value to otherwise useless organic waste streams and to generate off‐grid electricity and may be one of the most interesting examples of renewable energy sources . In the MFC, the electric field is created by the oxidising bacterial consortia in the anaerobic anode utilising organic substrates from the feedstock (wastewater, urine) directly into electric current and protons .…”

Microbial fuel cell: a prospective sustainable solution for energy and environmental crisis

“…Provided the two stage has to be constructed with inert material along with intact proton exchange membrane and a high potential electrode. 3,6 The functional properties of MFC would depends upon the metabolic activity of exoelectrogens, suitability of the electrode material for bio film formation, efficiency of electrode materials in harvesting the electrons and finally the electron shuttle system. 7 The prime and foremost constraint of microbial fuel cells is its low power output as compared to the conventional fuel cells.…”

“…Therefore, before implementing the MFC the phenomenon of the biochemical reactions and its occurrence with the electrolytes should be dispersed since the generation of various types of anions and cations has the ability to collapse the system. 6 Hence it is evident that though there are various operational factors in MFC system which needs special attention for its improvement towards real time application, it is foreseen as potential technology to outreach for future energy crisis through sustainable route.…”