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

Abstract

The microbial fuel cell (MFC) a classification of fuel cell has attracted wide research attention for resolving the emerging energy and environmental crisis of present and future generation. Owing to its strong compliances towards sustainable development goal and safety it is seen as a promising substitution for the polluting technologies. Though this technology has seen tremendous growth in their own technological competence their commercialisation is unrealistic on instantaneous adaptation. The opinion covers the protagonist role of MFC in providing solution to the energy and environmental problems along with its limitations and its competence for future real time application.

Microbial fuel cells a state-of-the-art technology for wastewater treatment and bioelectricity generation

“…The major limitation associated with the less efficiency of this configuration is the increase of internal resistance due to increased distance between the electrodes. Commonly used electrodes are made of graphite, copper, stainless steel mesh, carbon paper and carbon cloth [76].…”

“…This cell configuration is efficient and preferred due to lower internal resistance in comparison to dual-chambered MFCs. The main advantage associated with the use of singlechambered MFC is cost-effectiveness along with the generation of more power output [76].…”

Influence of Very High Flow Rates on Performance of Biofilter-Microbial Fuel Cells

“…Although the scientists have successfully improved power density (a proportion to an anode area) of a single cell MFC from less than 1 mW/m 2 [7] to 6.9 W/m 2 or over 1 kW/m 3 under optimal conditions [3], there are still barriers for the practical use. The first constraint is their high installation cost due to an application of proton exchange membrane as a chamber separator and platinum as a cathode catalyst [7]. Thus, the membrane-less-tubular MFC without the addition of mediators were of our interest due to its economic advantage and wastewater treatment capacity in scaled-up MFC.…”

“…The second constraint of MFCs is their low power output due to ohmic losses, activation losses and concentration losses, etc. [7]. When volume of an MFC increases, the output power reduces proportionally [8].…”