ABSTRACT
Microbial fuel cell (MFC) power production is affected by physical, chemical and biological factors. The MFC configuration and materials used for construction determine the internal resistance of the cells and hence affects the MFC performance. This chapter provides an attempt has been made to analyze the role of membranes or separators in MFC and the improvements made to reduce cost and increase performance. MFC converts the organic compounds in wastewater to electricity, directly reducing the conversion losses, and reduces the infrastructure installation. Exoelectrogens are capable of extracellular electron transfer without the addition of artificial mediators. Mediated electron transfer occurs via metabolites produced by bacteria which act as redox shuttles. The electron shuttles may be redox compounds present in the wastewater. MFC is a complicated system where electrochemical and biological reactions occur at the same time in a single reactor. The biofilm formed over the anode surface is crucial in determining the rate of electron transfer to anode.
