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Review
. 2023 Apr 30;13(5):490.
doi: 10.3390/membranes13050490.

Microbial Fuel Cell Construction Features and Application for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment

Hridoy Roy  1 , Tanzim Ur Rahman  1 , Nishat Tasnim  1 , Jannatul Arju  1 , Md Mustafa Rafid  1 , Md Reazul Islam  2 , Md Nahid Pervez  3 , Yingjie Cai  4 , Vincenzo Naddeo  3 , Md Shahinoor Islam  1   5
Affiliations
Review

Microbial Fuel Cell Construction Features and Application for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment

Hridoy Roy et al. Membranes (Basel). .

Abstract

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a system that can generate electricity by harnessing microorganisms' metabolic activity. MFCs can be used in wastewater treatment plants since they can convert the organic matter in wastewater into electricity while also removing pollutants. The microorganisms in the anode electrode oxidize the organic matter, breaking down pollutants and generating electrons that flow through an electrical circuit to the cathode compartment. This process also generates clean water as a byproduct, which can be reused or released back into the environment. MFCs offer a more energy-efficient alternative to traditional wastewater treatment plants, as they can generate electricity from the organic matter in wastewater, offsetting the energy needs of the treatment plants. The energy requirements of conventional wastewater treatment plants can add to the overall cost of the treatment process and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. MFCs in wastewater treatment plants can increase sustainability in wastewater treatment processes by increasing energy efficiency and reducing operational cost and greenhouse gas emissions. However, the build-up to the commercial-scale still needs a lot of study, as MFC research is still in its early stages. This study thoroughly describes the principles underlying MFCs, including their fundamental structure and types, construction materials and membrane, working mechanism, and significant process elements influencing their effectiveness in the workplace. The application of this technology in sustainable wastewater treatment, as well as the challenges involved in its widespread adoption, are discussed in this study.

Keywords: MFCs; construction features; membrane; sustainable; wastewater.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic diagram of a typical dual chamber microbial fuel cell.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Different anode materials used for microbial fuel cells [adapted and modified from reference [22] with permission, 2023, Elsevier.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Ion transfer in the separator of a microbial fuel cell (A) and selective transfer of ions in a cation exchange membrane (B), and anion exchange membrane (C).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Schematic of a single-chamber MFC (with membrane).
Figure 5
Figure 5
The working mechanism of a double-chamber microbial fuel cell.
Figure 6
Figure 6
A schematic diagram of wastewater treatment in an MFC.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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