Role of carbon-based nanomaterials in improving the performance of microbial fuel cells

Highlights: • Microbial fuel cell performance is discussed. • Application of graphene in microbial fuel cell is presented. • Factors impeding the commercialization of microbial fuel cell is analysed. • Prospects of microbial fuel cell is evaluated and discussed. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are energy conversion devices that simultaneously produce electricity while degrading the wastewater's organic materials. Despite the high potential of the MFCs for wastewater treatment, the relatively low power output and the cost of commercially available electrode materials impact their commercialization negatively. Carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNMs) can be used effectively as standalone anode material. However, carbon-based anodes are usually modified to enhance the mechanical and chemical stabilities, increase the electroactive surface area, improve biocompatibility, and increase the electrical conductivity, promoting biofilm formation and/or the electron transfer rate. Moreover, CBNMs can be used at the cathode to support the catalyst or as a standalone non-precious catalyst. This work introduced and discussed the application of different CBNMs, including carbon nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, graphene, graphitic carbon nitrites, and their derivatives or composites in microbial fuel cells.