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Microbial Fuel Cells and Their Applications for Cost Effective Water Pollution Remediation

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Abstract

A recent research in the field of microbial fuel cell (MFC) is exploring bio-electrochemical processes to generate electricity. Fundamentals to microbial fuel cell are proper cost effective cell design, electrodes, substrates, proton exchange membranes and bacterial species forming biofilms on electrode. The MFC is considered to be specific for current generation by bacterial metabolism. The current review uncovers the fact that MFC technology is not only for the current generation but is also effective for bio-remediation, bio-sensors and for biosynthesis of valuable organic products. Industrial and domestic wastes are pollutants, toxic for health and environment. Their chemical treatment itself requires expensive chemicals which in turn lead to other composites in the environment. The cost effective and safe technique has been employed for remediation like catalytically active bio-electrodes in MFC. The exoelectrogens are capable of electron transfer by forming conductive biofilms on the solid surfaces of electrodes. The Geobacter, Shewanella and Sporomusa species have the tendency to form nanowires or have C-type cytochromes for electron conduction. The redox capability of these electro active biofilms is not only to reduce the hazardous materials but also to catalyze the electrochemical reactions like corrosion alleviation, biosensor development, bio-remediation and biochemical synthesis. These bio-electrochemical techniques have been proved to be the best for low cost, high catalytic activity, less pollution and no secondary contaminants.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to their colleagues of COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Lahore for critically reading the manuscript, for library work, typing, discussions and information about unpublished material.

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  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Lahore, Pakistan

    Gugan Jabeen & Robina Farooq

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  1. Gugan Jabeen
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Correspondence to Gugan Jabeen.

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Jabeen, G., Farooq, R. Microbial Fuel Cells and Their Applications for Cost Effective Water Pollution Remediation. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., India, Sect. B Biol. Sci. 87, 625–635 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-015-0683-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-015-0683-x

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