Enhancement of Electrochemical Activity in Bioelectrochemical Systems by Using Bacterial Anodes: An Overview

Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) have been extensively investigated in the past decade, because of their high potential for use in wastewater treatment and energy recovery applications. BESs can be broadly classified either as a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) or a microbial fuel cell (MFC). An MFC operates under resistance, while an MEC operates under an applied voltage. These new technologies are still in their infant stages, and intensive efforts are underway to increase their energy output. The complete performance of the MEC/MFC relies upon the different parameters like the anode, cathode, substrate, reactor type, and design; but the principal part of the MFC/MEC system is the anode. The performance in an MFC/MEC strongly relies on its anode’s activity and efficacy, which is considered the limiting element. The significant parameters influencing the anode’s bacterial activity are the electrode material and the exoelectrogenic biofilm on the anode. This chapter talks about the current advances in the anodes used in MEC/MFC systems, especially anode amendment, and microbes immobilization techniques to raise the energy output, robustness, and anode biocompatibility, resulting in higher performance with fewer limitations.