Working Principle and Application of Microbial Fuel Cell

Abstract

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a device that uses microorganisms to convert chemical energy from organic matter directly into electrical energy. It is considered to have the potential for a wide range of applications to meet future human energy needs fuel diversity. This paper introduces the basic working principle of MFC and illustrates the electrode material, membrane and cell configuration selection on the performance influence of MFC. In addition, the application progress of MFC in recent years is reviewed, including sewage treatment, microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) and microbial desalination cell (MDC). Finally, the development direction of MFC is prospected: membrane and electrode materials need to be further studied, and MFC coupling technology needs to be continuously promoted.