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This paper reviews the use of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) for energy production and wastewater treatment, highlighting the electron transfer mechanisms between microbes and electrodes.

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What they did

System
MFC

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Abstract

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are sustainable energy technologies that could resolve pollution challenges brought by various activities. It can meet energy demand by producing bioelectricity through catabolizing organic matter. Over the past two decades, research on many microbes have been used in MFCs, which intrigued researchers to explore the underlying electron transfer mechanism between microbe and anode. Electron transfer between electrode and microorganism occurs via different pathways: direct, indirect electron transfer and interspecies electron transfer. Shewanella and Geobacter are well‐known for microbe–electrode and microbe–microbe electron transfer. This review provides an overview of the significant varieties of microbes utilized in MFCs for simultaneous bioelectricity generation and wastewater treatment. Mechanisms of different modes of electron transfer involved during the oxidation of organic wastes in the anode section of MFCs are highlighted. Furthermore, this review also details some of the techniques to promote extracellular electron transfer efficiency which is important for the enhanced performance of MFC in terms of power, current generation and wastewater remediation. A perspective of challenges to be addressed for the effective functioning of these technologies, opportunities for MFC systems to be scaled up and associated techno‐economic analysis are discussed. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Key findings

  • Shewanella and Geobacter are well-known for microbe-electrode and microbe-microbe electron transfer.
  • Different modes of electron transfer (direct, indirect, and interspecies) are involved in the oxidation of organic wastes in MFCs.
  • Extracellular electron transfer efficiency can be promoted using various techniques for enhanced MFC performance.

Keywords

Microbial fuel cellProduction (economics)Perspective (graphical)Biochemical engineeringElectron transferProcess engineering

Identifiers

DOI
10.1002/jctb.7788
Journal
Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology
Year
2024