Progress of carbon-based electrodes in microbial fuel cells: A comprehensive review
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have emerged as a promising technology for sustainable energy production, offering the dual benefits of electricity generation and wastewater treatment. By harnessing the metabolic activity of electroactive microorganisms during substrate oxidation, MFCs convert chemical...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-09-01
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| Series: | Results in Chemistry |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211715625006101 |
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| author | Tigist Merga Gebrehiwot Gebreslassie Tesfu Hailu A.C. Nwanya F.I. Ezema P.M. Ejikeme Getachew Adam Workneh |
| author_facet | Tigist Merga Gebrehiwot Gebreslassie Tesfu Hailu A.C. Nwanya F.I. Ezema P.M. Ejikeme Getachew Adam Workneh |
| author_sort | Tigist Merga |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have emerged as a promising technology for sustainable energy production, offering the dual benefits of electricity generation and wastewater treatment. By harnessing the metabolic activity of electroactive microorganisms during substrate oxidation, MFCs convert chemical energy into electrical energy. However, despite their potential, the practical implementation of MFCs is significantly hindered by their relatively low power output. Among the various components of an MFCs, the anode plays a pivotal role not only as the primary site for electron collection from microbial metabolism but also as a surface for biofilm formation. The inadequate performance of conventional anode materials remains a critical limitation, underscoring the need for enhanced electrode designs. In recent years, carbon-based materials have garnered significant attention due to their favorable properties, including high conductivity, chemical stability, and biocompatibility. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental working principles of MFCs, with a particular focus on advancements in carbonaceous anode materials. Various modification strategies aimed at improving the electrochemical and biological performance of carbon-based electrodes are critically analyzed. Finally, the review highlights current challenges and outlines future research directions to facilitate the practical deployment of MFCs for simultaneous wastewater treatment and renewable energy generation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f8d8ed23c38c4f7baa434ff11b0d9926 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2211-7156 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-09-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Results in Chemistry |
| spelling | doaj-art-f8d8ed23c38c4f7baa434ff11b0d99262025-08-23T04:48:19ZengElsevierResults in Chemistry2211-71562025-09-011710262710.1016/j.rechem.2025.102627Progress of carbon-based electrodes in microbial fuel cells: A comprehensive reviewTigist Merga0Gebrehiwot Gebreslassie1Tesfu Hailu2A.C. Nwanya3F.I. Ezema4P.M. Ejikeme5Getachew Adam Workneh6Department of Industrial Chemistry, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, P.O.Box 16417, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Sustainable Energy Center of Excellence, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, P.O.Box 16417, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Salale University, Fitche, Ethiopia; Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria Nsukka, NigeriaDepartment of Industrial Chemistry, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, P.O.Box 16417, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Sustainable Energy Center of Excellence, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, P.O.Box 16417, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China; Corresponding authors at: Department of Industrial Chemistry, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Department of Industrial Chemistry, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, P.O.Box 16417, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Sustainable Energy Center of Excellence, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, P.O.Box 16417, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaDepartment of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria; Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nigeria Nsukka, NigeriaDepartment of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria; African Center of Excellence ACE-SPED, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, NigeriaDepartment of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria; African Center of Excellence ACE-SPED, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, NigeriaDepartment of Industrial Chemistry, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, P.O.Box 16417, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Sustainable Energy Center of Excellence, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, P.O.Box 16417, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Corresponding authors at: Department of Industrial Chemistry, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have emerged as a promising technology for sustainable energy production, offering the dual benefits of electricity generation and wastewater treatment. By harnessing the metabolic activity of electroactive microorganisms during substrate oxidation, MFCs convert chemical energy into electrical energy. However, despite their potential, the practical implementation of MFCs is significantly hindered by their relatively low power output. Among the various components of an MFCs, the anode plays a pivotal role not only as the primary site for electron collection from microbial metabolism but also as a surface for biofilm formation. The inadequate performance of conventional anode materials remains a critical limitation, underscoring the need for enhanced electrode designs. In recent years, carbon-based materials have garnered significant attention due to their favorable properties, including high conductivity, chemical stability, and biocompatibility. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental working principles of MFCs, with a particular focus on advancements in carbonaceous anode materials. Various modification strategies aimed at improving the electrochemical and biological performance of carbon-based electrodes are critically analyzed. Finally, the review highlights current challenges and outlines future research directions to facilitate the practical deployment of MFCs for simultaneous wastewater treatment and renewable energy generation.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211715625006101Microbial fuel cellCarbon-based anodeAnode modificationRenewable energy |
| spellingShingle | Tigist Merga Gebrehiwot Gebreslassie Tesfu Hailu A.C. Nwanya F.I. Ezema P.M. Ejikeme Getachew Adam Workneh Progress of carbon-based electrodes in microbial fuel cells: A comprehensive review Results in Chemistry Microbial fuel cell Carbon-based anode Anode modification Renewable energy |
| title | Progress of carbon-based electrodes in microbial fuel cells: A comprehensive review |
| title_full | Progress of carbon-based electrodes in microbial fuel cells: A comprehensive review |
| title_fullStr | Progress of carbon-based electrodes in microbial fuel cells: A comprehensive review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Progress of carbon-based electrodes in microbial fuel cells: A comprehensive review |
| title_short | Progress of carbon-based electrodes in microbial fuel cells: A comprehensive review |
| title_sort | progress of carbon based electrodes in microbial fuel cells a comprehensive review |
| topic | Microbial fuel cell Carbon-based anode Anode modification Renewable energy |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211715625006101 |
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