Microbial Fuel Cells for Power Generation by Treating Mine Tailings: Recent Advances and Emerging Trends

Wenwen Cui, Samantha Espley, Weiguo Liang, Shunde Yin () and Xiaoqiang Dong ()
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Wenwen Cui: Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
Samantha Espley: Stantec, 1-1760 Regent Street, Sudbury, ON P3E 3Z8, Canada
Weiguo Liang: Key Laboratory of In-Situ Property-Improving Mining of Ministry of Education, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
Shunde Yin: Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
Xiaoqiang Dong: Department of Civil Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 2, 1-41

Abstract: Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have gained considerable attention in recent years due to their dual potential in waste treatment and clean energy production. In the field of mine tailings treatment, MFCs exhibit a unique advantage by integrating pollutant degradation with electricity generation, gradually emerging as a significant research focus. Based on 1321 relevant publications retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) from 2004 to 2024, this study employs bibliometric analysis to systematically explore the research status and future trends of MFCs in mine tailings treatment and power generation. The main research themes include (1) distinctive publication characteristics of MFC studies in the context of mine tailings treatment; (2) key information on leading countries, institutions, journals, and disciplines contributing to this field; and (3) a comprehensive summary of technological breakthroughs, emerging research hotspots, and future development directions of MFCs in mine tailings management. By thoroughly evaluating the existing body of research, this study provides valuable guidance for scholars new to the fields of MFCs and mine tailings treatment while offering insights into the technological advancements shaping the future of this domain.

Keywords: microbial fuel cells; mine tailings; power generation; bibliometric analysis; pollutant treatment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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