ABSTRACT
Microbial electrochemical technologies are based on the interactions of electroactive microorganisms and the electrode surfaces. These systems provide a wide range of possible applications in the energy and environmental sector. Compared to the conventional fuel cells, microbial electrochemical systems can be operated at relatively mild operating conditions and do not require expensive metals as catalysts. The most well-known technology is the microbial fuel cells (MFCs), which are used for simultaneous wastewater treatment along with electricity generation. The recent emphasis, however, is devoted to other applications besides electricity, which include biosensors, in-situ bioremediation, removal or recovery of metals from leachates, hydrogen production, and CO2 conversion to chemicals. These new applications have expanded the horizon for the microbial electrochemical technologies. However, their full-scale implementation is still challenging, and a technological breakthrough is awaited for the commercialization of these processes. This chapter explores in detail the principles, mechanisms, and the technical aspects of microbial electrochemical cells along with their applications. The key factors that contribute to their performance and the various means of assessment are discussed. Furthermore, the latest advancements and the existing challenges for the scale up are highlighted.
