Chapter 9
Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC): An Innovative
Technology for Wastewater Treatment
and Power Generation
Mostafa Rahimnejad, Maryam Asghary, and Marjan Fallah
Abstract Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have been nominated as new alternatives and
novel opportunities which are able to convert biodegradable organic matters
(as substrates) into green electricity with the aim of different types of active
microorganisms as active biocatalysts. In terms of configurations, one-chambered
MFCs (OC-MFCs), dual-chambered MFCs (DC-MFCs), tubular, H-type, upflow
MFCs, and stacked ones would be introduced each for specific objectives. Basically,
MFC configuration consists of a biological anode and an abiotic cathode chamber
separated by a proton exchange membrane. Direct production of electricity out of
substrates, enabling to be operated efficiently at an ambient temperature, and
expanding the diversity of fuels used as energy requirements are some of the most
praiseworthy advantages of MFCs. Due to electron and proton release resulted by
oxidized substrates in anode compartment, sufficient information about electron
transfer mechanisms of microorganisms is essential to reach raising amount of
energy produced by an MFC system and to find out the theory about their operation.
In the 1980s, scientists have figured out that adding some electron mediators causes
an incredible enhancement in power output and current density of mentioned
technology. By this demonstration, the mediator acts as a movable agent which
transports electrons between electrode and bacteria in anode part. Moreover, the
most useful applications of MFCs can be classified into four significant categories.
They have the ability to be used for electricity production, generation of biological
hydrogen, and wastewater treatment (WWT) plants. Besides, MFCs was used as
power generator for sensors and biosensors or serve as biosensors themselves.
Hence, use of MFCs in water quality improvement which is related to WWT has
attracted many scientists all over the world over recent years. Consequently, by
M. Rahimnejad (*) · M. Fallah
Biofuel and Renewable Energy Research Center, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Babol
Noshirvani University of Technology, Babol, Mazandaran Province, Iran
e-mail: Rahimnejad@nit.ac.ir; Rahimnejad@biodc.isti.ir
M. Asghary
Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Mazandaran,
Babolsar, Mazandaran Province, Iran
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
R. N. Bharagava, G. Saxena (eds.), Bioremediation of Industrial Waste for
Environmental Safety, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-3426-9_9
215
Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC): An Innovative
Technology for Wastewater Treatment
and Power Generation
Mostafa Rahimnejad, Maryam Asghary, and Marjan Fallah
Abstract Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have been nominated as new alternatives and
novel opportunities which are able to convert biodegradable organic matters
(as substrates) into green electricity with the aim of different types of active
microorganisms as active biocatalysts. In terms of configurations, one-chambered
MFCs (OC-MFCs), dual-chambered MFCs (DC-MFCs), tubular, H-type, upflow
MFCs, and stacked ones would be introduced each for specific objectives. Basically,
MFC configuration consists of a biological anode and an abiotic cathode chamber
separated by a proton exchange membrane. Direct production of electricity out of
substrates, enabling to be operated efficiently at an ambient temperature, and
expanding the diversity of fuels used as energy requirements are some of the most
praiseworthy advantages of MFCs. Due to electron and proton release resulted by
oxidized substrates in anode compartment, sufficient information about electron
transfer mechanisms of microorganisms is essential to reach raising amount of
energy produced by an MFC system and to find out the theory about their operation.
In the 1980s, scientists have figured out that adding some electron mediators causes
an incredible enhancement in power output and current density of mentioned
technology. By this demonstration, the mediator acts as a movable agent which
transports electrons between electrode and bacteria in anode part. Moreover, the
most useful applications of MFCs can be classified into four significant categories.
They have the ability to be used for electricity production, generation of biological
hydrogen, and wastewater treatment (WWT) plants. Besides, MFCs was used as
power generator for sensors and biosensors or serve as biosensors themselves.
Hence, use of MFCs in water quality improvement which is related to WWT has
attracted many scientists all over the world over recent years. Consequently, by
M. Rahimnejad (*) · M. Fallah
Biofuel and Renewable Energy Research Center, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Babol
Noshirvani University of Technology, Babol, Mazandaran Province, Iran
e-mail: Rahimnejad@nit.ac.ir; Rahimnejad@biodc.isti.ir
M. Asghary
Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Mazandaran,
Babolsar, Mazandaran Province, Iran
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
R. N. Bharagava, G. Saxena (eds.), Bioremediation of Industrial Waste for
Environmental Safety, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-3426-9_9
215