Transformative potential of optimized microbial fuel cell designs and materials for eco-friendly management of hazardous chemical waste

• Published in: Journal of water process engineering 2025-01, Vol.69, Article 106647
• Main Authors: Chhachhiya, Navneet, Tiwari, Aakriti, Sharma, Radhey Shyam, Rai, Pramod Kumar, Anand, Shalini, Mishra, Vandana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemical toxicants; Green technology; Hazardous waste; Microbial treatment; Sustainable technology
• ISSN: 2214-7144; 2214-7144
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2024.106647

The rapid growth of chemical production, introducing approximately 10 million new compounds annually, underscores the urgent need for effective hazardous waste management. Many of these chemicals—bioaccumulative, mutagenic, and carcinogenic—pose serious threats to ecosystems and human health. Traditional methods, such as chemical, thermal, and biological processes, often suffer from incomplete pollutant removal, secondary contamination, and high energy consumption. Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) present a promising alternative by both detoxifying hazardous waste and generating renewable energy. Despite this potential, existing reviews focus primarily on either pollutant degradation or bioelectricity generation, lacking a comprehensive analysis of both functions in hazardous waste management. This review critically synthesizes recent advancements in MFC technology, offering an integrated perspective on MFC design, material innovations, and applications for treating bioaccumulative, mutagenic, and carcinogenic substances. Particular emphasis is placed on recent innovations in electrode materials, bio-electro Fenton systems, and membrane technology, showcasing MFCs' pollutant removal efficiencies of up to 98 %. Additionally, challenges in scalability, power output, and biofilm optimization are explored. The transition from lab success to large-scale application remains difficult, due to high construction costs, biofilm stability, and limited scalability. The review identifies key gaps, including the need for durable, cost-effective materials, enhanced biofilm engineering, and integrating MFCs into circular economy frameworks. By addressing these issues, this review underscores MFCs' transformative potential in hazardous waste management, advancing both environmental sustainability and renewable energy objectives. [Display omitted] •MFCs achieve pollutant removal efficiencies between 80-98% for hazardous chemical waste•Air cathode MFCs improve power generation and cost-efficiency in waste treatment.•Soil-based MFCs effectively degrade organic pollutants, enhancing bioelectricity production•Constructed Wetland-MFCs excel in treating both organic and inorganic chemical wastes•Integrated MFC systems show significant potential for scalable, sustainable waste management