Anode Modification as an Alternative Approach to Improve Electricity Generation in Microbial Fuel Cells

Dawid Nosek, Piotr Jachimowicz and Agnieszka Cydzik-Kwiatkowska
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Dawid Nosek: Department of Environmental Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Słoneczna 45g, 10-709 Olsztyn, Poland
Piotr Jachimowicz: Department of Environmental Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Słoneczna 45g, 10-709 Olsztyn, Poland
Agnieszka Cydzik-Kwiatkowska: Department of Environmental Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Słoneczna 45g, 10-709 Olsztyn, Poland

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 24, 1-22

Abstract: Sustainable production of electricity from renewable sources by microorganisms is considered an attractive alternative to energy production from fossil fuels. In recent years, research on microbial fuel cells (MFCs) technology for electricity production has increased. However, there are problems with up-scaling MFCs due to the fairly low power output and high operational costs. One of the approaches to improving energy generation in MFCs is by modifying the existing anode materials to provide more electrochemically active sites and improve the adhesion of microorganisms. The aim of this review is to present the effect of anode modification with carbon compounds, metallic nanomaterials, and polymers and the effect that these modifications have on the structure of the microbiological community inhabiting the anode surface. This review summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of individual materials as well as possibilities for using them for environmentally friendly production of electricity in MFCs.

Keywords: microbial fuel cells; anode modification; electrode materials; nanomaterials; polymers; microbial community; exoelectrogens (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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