Microbial fuel cells: An overview of current technology

Anthony J. Slate, Kathryn A. Whitehead, Dale A.C. Brownson, Craig E. Banks

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

578 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Research into alternative renewable energy generation is a priority, due to the ever-increasing concern of climate change. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are one potential avenue to be explored, as a partial solution towards combating the over-reliance on fossil fuel based electricity. Limitations have slowed the advancement of MFC development, including low power generation, expensive electrode materials and the inability to scale up MFCs to industrially relevant capacities. However, utilisation of new advanced electrode-materials (i.e. 2D nanomaterials), has promise to advance the field of electromicrobiology. New electrode materials coupled with a more thorough understanding of the mechanisms in which electrogenic bacteria partake in electron transfer could dramatically increase power outputs, potentially reaching the upper extremities of theoretical limits. Continued research into both the electrochemistry and microbiology is of paramount importance in order to achieve industrial-scale development of MFCs. This review gives an overview of the current field and knowledge in regards to MFCs and discusses the known mechanisms underpinning MFC technology, which allows bacteria to facilitate in electron transfer processes. This review focusses specifically on enhancing the performance of MFCs, with the key intrinsic factor currently limiting power output from MFCs being the rate of electron transfer to/from the anode; the use of advanced carbon-based materials as electrode surfaces is discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)60-81
Number of pages22
JournalRenewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
Volume101
Early online date14 Nov 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2019

Funding

This work was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (Reference: EP/N001877/1 ); and the British Council Institutional Grant Link (No. 172726574 ). The Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre is funded by the European Regional Development Fund . D. A. C. Brownson acknowledges funding from the Ramsay Memorial Fellowships Trust. Copyright permission was obtained for the images used throughout this review prior to publication. The authors declare no competing financial interests. The authors would like to thank Dr. Jonathan Butler for his assistance with the preparation and proof reading of this manuscript.

Keywords

  • Electrochemistry
  • Electromicrobiology
  • Graphene
  • Microbial fuel cells
  • Microbiology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

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