Application of microbial fuel cell-based biosensor in environmental monitoring – A critical review

Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) represent an innovative approach for transforming biomass energy directly into electricity, which showed great promise in various applications beyond energy generation and wastewater treatment. The use of MFCs as biosensors for in-situ and online monitoring has garnered increasing interest. These biosensors stand out for their compactness, ease of operation, affordability, and portability. They have proven effectively in the detection of various water quality indicators, including organic matter, nitrogen, heavy metals, pH levels, and dissolved oxygen. This comprehensive review aims to provide a critical analysis of the current research landscape and the latest advancements in MFC technology, with special emphasis on the challenges encountered in its application for wastewater and water quality monitoring. Moreover, strategies for performance improvement, such as the adoption of miniaturized structures, the exploration of innovative materials, and the application of mathematical modelling for analysis, are also discussed. The review also explores potential avenues for future research, especially in the realm of detecting mixed pollutants. Thus, it provides insightful perspectives on the evolving field of biosensor technology based on MFCs.