Enhanced contaminant degradations in microbial fuel cells and the potential mechanisms: a review

Abstract:

Current generation and contaminant degradation are two basic functions, as well as two most attractive advantages for microbial fuel cells (MFCs). It has been extensively documented that MFCs have more efficient contaminant-degrading capacities relative to traditional anaerobic biodigestion reactors. The mechanisms underlying the higher degrading capacity of MFCs are important for optimizing the performances of MFCs, as well as for the in-situ applications of MFCs. This paper reviewed the recent studies that comparatively assessed the degrading-capacities in MFCs and other anaerobic digestion reactors. Potential mechanisms of the higher degrading capacity in MFCs, including the microbial metabolic pathways, biofilm viability and redox-impacts of anode on the ambient environment, were analyzed and suggested for improving the performances of MFCs for contaminant degradation.

Key words:Microbial fuel cells, Contaminant degradation, Bioremediation, Bioelectrochemistry