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A. Arkatkar et al.
(artificial (Tharali et al. 2016) or natural (Bosire et al. 2016; Cao et al. 2019; Huang
et al. 2018)).
The growth of microbial culture is always subjected to the environmental condition
around it. A spontaneous drive of electron in the outer space will increase the rate of
reaction inside the bacterial cell. Thus, it is important to increase the rate of electron
consumption in the outside environment of an exoelectrogen. To increase the electron
consumption in anode chamber the strategies like growth of exoelectrogenic biofilm
on the anode surface, addition of mediators in the anolyte, and coating of electron
acceptor on the anode surface can be implemented.
The growth of conductive biofilm helps the anode to capture electrons (Babauta
et al. 2012). As explained through earlier studies the addition of a mediator from outside or a secretion of the microbial culture will boost the flow of electrons toward the
anode. The electrode surface when coated with oxides of metals and other materials
can serve as an improved electron receptor (Lv et al. 2012; Zhang et al. 2016).
4 Application of Nanomaterial/Nanoparticles in MFC
Nanotechnology is a branch of science that deals with the nanoscale particles.
These particles have small size (in the range of 1–100 nm), and unique properties which are exhibited by their bulky counterparts. These tiny particles alter the
role of the base substance in a reaction. The small size facilitates the rate of reaction in which these nanoparticles are involved. The nanoparticles are used for coating of the electrode surface in MFC. It has been very well proven that the coating
of nanoparticles/nanomaterials enhance the power production in MFC (Jiang et al.
2014).
Mostly metal oxides having highelectron accepting capability are chosen for coating on an electrode. The method of preparation of nanoparticles and coating varies
in each study (Table 1). The reduction in the size of metal oxide enhances the surface
area for electron reaction and simultaneously increases the availability of oxides
as electron acceptor. In an MFC reactor the electrode, anode, and cathode accept
electrons; anode accepts it from microbes and cathode accepts it from anode via an
external circuit. As the anode is always in contact with the microbial culture it is
termed as bioanode. Thus, while coating of the nanoparticles on anode one should
consider a few biological aspects. The compatibility and durability of coating are
major parameters to given attention on.
5 Review of Research
The metal oxides like iron (Fe), (Mohamed et al. 2018a, b) manganese (Mn), (Kalathil
et al. 2013) tin (Sn), palladium (Pd), (Xu et al. 2018) molebdenum (Mo) (Zeng et al.
2018a, b), and carbon nanotubes (Table 1) are frequently used metals for preparation
A. Arkatkar et al.
(artificial (Tharali et al. 2016) or natural (Bosire et al. 2016; Cao et al. 2019; Huang
et al. 2018)).
The growth of microbial culture is always subjected to the environmental condition
around it. A spontaneous drive of electron in the outer space will increase the rate of
reaction inside the bacterial cell. Thus, it is important to increase the rate of electron
consumption in the outside environment of an exoelectrogen. To increase the electron
consumption in anode chamber the strategies like growth of exoelectrogenic biofilm
on the anode surface, addition of mediators in the anolyte, and coating of electron
acceptor on the anode surface can be implemented.
The growth of conductive biofilm helps the anode to capture electrons (Babauta
et al. 2012). As explained through earlier studies the addition of a mediator from outside or a secretion of the microbial culture will boost the flow of electrons toward the
anode. The electrode surface when coated with oxides of metals and other materials
can serve as an improved electron receptor (Lv et al. 2012; Zhang et al. 2016).
4 Application of Nanomaterial/Nanoparticles in MFC
Nanotechnology is a branch of science that deals with the nanoscale particles.
These particles have small size (in the range of 1–100 nm), and unique properties which are exhibited by their bulky counterparts. These tiny particles alter the
role of the base substance in a reaction. The small size facilitates the rate of reaction in which these nanoparticles are involved. The nanoparticles are used for coating of the electrode surface in MFC. It has been very well proven that the coating
of nanoparticles/nanomaterials enhance the power production in MFC (Jiang et al.
2014).
Mostly metal oxides having highelectron accepting capability are chosen for coating on an electrode. The method of preparation of nanoparticles and coating varies
in each study (Table 1). The reduction in the size of metal oxide enhances the surface
area for electron reaction and simultaneously increases the availability of oxides
as electron acceptor. In an MFC reactor the electrode, anode, and cathode accept
electrons; anode accepts it from microbes and cathode accepts it from anode via an
external circuit. As the anode is always in contact with the microbial culture it is
termed as bioanode. Thus, while coating of the nanoparticles on anode one should
consider a few biological aspects. The compatibility and durability of coating are
major parameters to given attention on.
5 Review of Research
The metal oxides like iron (Fe), (Mohamed et al. 2018a, b) manganese (Mn), (Kalathil
et al. 2013) tin (Sn), palladium (Pd), (Xu et al. 2018) molebdenum (Mo) (Zeng et al.
2018a, b), and carbon nanotubes (Table 1) are frequently used metals for preparation