Yi-Ting Chen, Jun Yan, Mengli Chen et al.

Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering • 2022

Shuyao Wang, Yvan Gariépy, Ademola Adekunle et al.

Electrochimica Acta • 2023

Thorben Muddemann, Dennis Haupt, Leandro Gomes Silva e Silva et al.

ECS Transactions • 2017

Microbial fuel cells (MFC) are a promising technology to enhance the power-efficiency of municipal sewage plants. Therefore, the possibilities of MFC implementation on municipal sewage treatment plants are analyzed in this contribution. A newly developed up-scaled cell design is described, each with an active area of 6,200 square centimeters respectively. The cell design integrates a double-sided graphite/polymer composite anode between two oxygen reducing cathodes, to enlarge the active surface area. Furthermore, the new design integrates in-situ electrode potential measurement by a reference electrode and biofilm flushing by nitrogen purge. To reach a uniform anolyte overflow, novel anodic flow patterns are described, evaluated by computational fluid dynamics. In addition to the technical cell design, the first prototype is presented. All cell elements are manufactured in an economical serial production, as well as high performance catalytic active cathodes, which are produced in-house by a semi-automatic production line.

Liangjing Zhang, Peng Lv, Yu Wang et al.

Journal of Cleaner Production • 2024

Pranab Jyoti Sarma, Barasa Malakar, Kaustubha Mohanty

Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery • 2023

Pranab Jyoti Sarma, Kaustubha Mohanty

Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery • 2023

Adib Mahmoodi Nasrabadi, Mahdi Moghimi

Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments • 2022

Thomas Krieg, Florian Mayer, Dieter Sell et al.

Environmental Technology • 2017

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are often discussed as a part of a sustainable generation of electricity for the coming 'energy revolution'. In particular, the application of MFCs in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are often regarded as an attractive alternative to reduce costs while generating electricity. Field surveys are necessary to show the applicability of MFCs in WWTPs considering daily fluctuations and environmental effects such as rain events affecting the MFC performance remarkably. In this study, a MFC system was tested in four municipal WWTPs using different modes of operation. A correlation between current densities and sludge loading (SL) was identified. At low SLs, the activated sludge needs a large amount of the energy derived from the substrate for the maintenance metabolism resulting in quite low current densities of the MFC. At high SLs much more of the energy can be transferred from the activated sludge to the electrode, resulting in higher currents. Furthermore, the effect of environmental conditions on the current densities was evaluated. WWTPs have daily fluctuations depending on the wastewater composition, weather phenomena and population equivalents. Our data show that these daily fluctuations can only be observed in the MFC performance at WWTPs below 50,000 population equivalents.

Bin Xu, John Chi‐Wei Lan, Qingjiang Sun et al.

Biotechnology for Biofuels • 2019

Anthocyanin as the main water-soluble vacuolar pigments in plant products were very electroactive for not only excellent antioxidant activities, but also promising electron-shuttling capabilities for renewable biofuel applications. This work also suggested the electron-shuttling mechanism of RMs that could possibly promote electron transport phenomena through microbial cell membrane, further influencing the electron transport chain for efficient bioenergy generation.

Dongpo Xu, Surong Zhang, Weijun Tian et al.

Journal of Water Process Engineering • 2024

Anirban Roy, Kumar Sonu, Amit Kumar et al.

Next Energy • 2025

Benthic plant microbial fuel cells (BPMFCs) represent an innovative, sustainable technology that effectively integrates plant photosynthesis with microbial electroactivity, facilitating the generation of renewable electricity alongside the remediation of organic waste. This study offers a critical analysis of the latest developments in BPMFC technology, focussing on 4 essential aspects: (1) novel bio-based electrode materials including functionalised conductive polymer composites, nanomaterial hybrids that enhance electron transfer (ET) efficiency; (2) advanced metagenomic and transcriptomic studies elucidating the electroactive microbial consortia and their unique extracellular ET mechanisms in both rhizosphere and BPMFC configurations; (3) the application of genetically modified plants with enhanced root exudation profiles, increasing power output; (4) innovative remote monitoring systems for BPMFCs employing IoT-enabled wireless sensor networks and long range wide area network technology ensuring reliable voltage measurement transmission from distant locations with minimal signal loss. The review rigorously analyses life cycle assessment studies that substantiate the environmental advantages of PMFCs, especially their carbon-negative potential when combined with wastewater treatment. Even with these advancements, there are still considerable obstacles to overcome in scaling BPMFC technology, such as concerns regarding system durability and questions about economic feasibility. A comprehensive roadmap is provided that integrates artificial intelligence-optimized material design, synthetic microbial community engineering, improved monitoring systems, and circular economy concepts to facilitate the transition from laboratory-scale prototypes to real-world applications. This analysis highlights the promise of BPMFCs as distributed renewable energy systems, particularly in agricultural and aquatic environments, while delineating critical research avenues to tackle existing commercialization obstacles. • Bio-inspired electrode alteration to enhance biofilm growth in BPMFCs is discussed. • Life cycle assessment reveals the ecological benefits of bioengineered electrodes. • Lab-to-field transition challenges in Benthic PMFCs and solutions. • Metagenomics shows electrode-driven microbial shifts in BPMFCs boosting bioenergy yield. • GMP-enhanced BPMFCs with IoT monitoring achieve 32% power boost & remote voltage tracking.

J Francisco, Janelle Macariola, Kristopher Ray S. Pamintuan

2023 11th International Conference on Smart Grid and Clean Energy Technologies (ICSGCE) • 2023

Plant microbial fuel cells (PMFCs) are a new potential technology that can produce renewable electricity without hindering plant development. In this study, the PMFC performance and plant growth of Pechay (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis) using three different soil samples with different percentage textures and locations are investigated. Polarization studies showed that the riverbank soil obtained the highest power densities for both PMFC and soil control systems having obtained 146.39 μW/m 2 and 89.77 μW/m 2 , respectively. Overall highest peak voltage was obtained from the soil control system of the open field sample with 98.6 mV due to high clay content, while the highest from a PMFC system was that of the riverbank sample with 44.46 mV due to plant preference. The coastal soil sample had the highest sand fraction, TOC, TN, AP, and pH, and the lowest AFe and WHC which may be attributed to location and sampling depth. Moreover, moisture is directly proportionate to voltage output due to the limited proton mobility with less water available. Plants in the PMFC systems were seen to have more growth due to a significantly higher total number of leaves, which can be attributed to electrostimulation.

Pranab Jyoti Sarma, Kaustubha Mohanty

Materials Chemistry and Physics • 2023

Shiqiang Wu, Sunil A. Patil, Shuiliang Chen

Applied Energy • 2018

N’Gissa Attah, Damgou Mani Kongnine, Pali Kpelou et al.

International Journal of Renewable Energy Development • 2025

Plant Microbial Fuel Cells (PMFCs) are bioelectrochemical systems that harness plant rhizodeposition to generate electricity. This technology enables electrical energy to be produced while the plant grows. However, the major problem preventing the commercialization of these cells is their low power. In the present study, a systematic investigation was conducted to ascertain the optimal configuration of these cells, with the objective of determining the optimum inter-electrode distance. In the present stidy, the lemongrass plant (Cymbopogon citratus) was used as the main substrate source, plastic pots and graphite electrodes, while examining three single pair of electrodes configurations (PMFC-A, PMFC-B, PMFC-C), along with a unique configuration with three unaligned cathodes (PMFC-D) and three inter-electrode distances (5cm, 7.5cm and 12.5cm) were examined. The experiment focused on determining electrical parameters, plant mass growth rates and soil characteristics. These variables were measured before and after the experiment. The results indicated that the plant mass growth rate of PMFC-D exhibited the greatest magnitude (80.62%). The organic matter (OM) content in the soil exhibited an increase in each PMFC over the course of the experiment. PMFC-B exhibited the highest values of OM, electrical conductivity, and water content, respectively equal to 15.69%, 376.00µS/cm, and 15.46%. Conversely, it exhibited the lowest pH value (7.37). Electrical parameter measurements have demonstrated that PMFCs with a single pair of electrodes exhibit superior performance in comparison to those with three unaligned cathodes. Similarly, these measurements indicated that for the single pair electrode configuration, an inter-electrode distance of 7.5cm was optimal, yielding a maximum power density of 127mW/m². The determination of the average internal resistance, open circuit voltage, and power density (PD), along with their standard deviations, demonstrated that PMFC-B exhibited superior performance. Furthermore, an analysis of its autonomy revealed that the PDmin it delivers, even in the absence of sunlight, is 16.90 mW/m². From these results, PMFC-B is the best configuration for lemongrass PMFC.

Liye Li, Boneng Chen, Weiling Cai et al.

Ecological Engineering • 2025

Ke Zhang, Xiangling Wu, Wei Wang et al.

Journal of Water Process Engineering • 2021

Kumar Sonu, Monika Sogani, Zainab Syed et al.

Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery • 2022

Ingrid Maldonado, Edmundo G. Moreno Terrazas, Jesús Miranda Mamani et al.

Results in Engineering • 2023

In this study, wastewater was analyzed for the presence of the antibiotics, tetracycline (Tet) and chloramphenicol (Chlor). Additionally, the antibiotic removal capacities of constructed wetland systems, with interacting macrophytes (Lemna gibba and Azolla filiculoides), substrates (sand and silt) and with or without microbial fuel cells (MFCs), were examined. To find the ideal wetland combination, a randomized 23 factorial design was applied, resulting in eight combinations in triplicate. The initial and final concentrations of antibiotics in the aquatic medium and in plants at the end of the experiment were measured with a high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) to verify the absorption rate. The results showed average Tet and Chlor concentration in wastewater samples 4.25 ± 3.95 and 1.87 ± 0.07 μg/L, respectively. All wetland types performed efficiently, removing a maximum of 100% tetracycline and chloramphenicol and a minimum of 99.45% and 97.84% Tet and Chlor, respectively. The average absorption of Tet and Chlor was 3.13 and 0.36 μg/g, respectively, in A. filiculoides; and the average absorption of Tet and Chlor was 2.08 and 0.08 μg/g, respectively, in Lemna. L. gibba had a higher biomass increase and a better relative growth rate than Azolla. In relation to electrical production, at first, all treatments were affected by the antibiotics; however, production increased as time progressed. Finally, the physicochemical parameters that improved with treatment were oxygen, oxidation-reduction potential and pH, whereas conductivity, dissolved solids, and salinity were most influenced by the silt substrate. Overall, although no wetland was ideal, all combinations were efficient at removing antibiotic contaminants.

Ke Li, Jingyao Qi, Fuguo Zhang et al.

Applied Sciences • 2021

CWMFC is a novel technology that has been used for almost a decade for concurrent wastewater treatment and electricity generation in varying scopes of domestic, municipal, and industrial applications since its implementation in 2012. Its advantage of low-cost enhanced wastewater treatment and sustainable bioelectricity generation has gained considerable attention. Nevertheless, the overall efficiency of this novel technology is inclined by several operating factors and configuration strands, such as pH, sewage composition, organic loading, electrode material, filter media, electrogens, hydraulic retention time, and macrophytes. Here, we investigate the effect of the wetland plant component on the overall performance of CWMFCs. The macrophyte’s involvement in the oxygen input, nutrient uptake, and direct degradation of pollutants for the required treatment effect and bioelectricity production are discussed in more detail. The review identifies and compares planted and unplanted CWMFC with their efficiency on COD removal and electricity generation based on previous and recent studies.

Sunghoon Son, Young-Jin Kim, Myeong Woon Kim et al.

Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers • 2021

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology is receiving a lot of attention recently as a promising technology for generating electricity by treating organic waste resources. Over the past 20 years, the MFC technology has made rapid progress: various research on system architectures, electrochemistry, materials, and microbiology has been conducted for developing practical ideas and fundamental principles. Recently, a lot of research on scaled-up systems for practical application is being conducted in the MFC field. In this review, materials, electrochemistry, system development and scale-up systems of MFCs studied so far are reviewed, and future prospects and directions of MFC technology are presented.

Kumar Sonu, Monika Sogani, Zainab Syed

Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery • 2025

Namita Shrestha, Govinda Chilkoor, Lichao Xia et al.

Water Research • 2017

Umi Sholikah, Nurkholis Alfian, Muhammad Kamaluddin et al.

Seminar Nasional Riset Terapan • 2019

Energi listrik merupakan komponen penunjang kehidupan manusia. Saat ini, sebagian besar energi listrik dihasilakn dari bahan bakar fosil yang tidak dapat diperbaharui sehingga diperlukan energi alternatif untuk menggantikan energi tersebut, salah satunya dengan metode Plant Microbial Fuel Cell (P-MFC) dengan memanfaatkan rumput vetiver. Tujuan dari penelitian ini untuk mengetahui kemampuan dari bakteri tanah yang berasosiasi dengan akar tanaman vetiver. Anoda dan katoda yang digunakan yaitu karbon dan seng yang kemudian dihubungkan ke multimeter agar dapat diukur tegangan dan arus yang dihasilkan. Pengamatan dilakukan pada jam optimal fotosintesis yaitu jam 6,7,8,9,10, dan 11. Hasil pengukuran didapatkan bahwa nilai daya maksimum dengan elektroda karbon dan seng terdapat pada data ke-1 yaitu pada jam 6 dan jam 7 hari ke-1 sebesar 132.595 mW dan daya terkecil sebesar 45.54 mW pada jam 11 hari ke-7. Besar kecilnya daya yang dihasilkan berkaitan dengan suhu lingkungan yaitu suhu, pH, dan kelembapan

Liping Fan, Yidan Zhao

International Journal of Electrochemical Science • 2025

This study investigates the enhancement of soil remediation and power generation capacity of plant microbial fuel cells (PMFCs) using a polyaniline-polydopamine (PANI-PDA) modified carbon felt (CF) anode, so as to address the low efficiency of PMFCs in treating copper-contaminated soil and generating renewable energy. An experimental PMFC system was established using potted epipremnum aureum and copper-contaminated soil. The PANI-PDA/CF anode was prepared by solution impregnation method and were characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and BET tests. The performance of the modified anode was evaluated through copper removal rates, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Results showed that the PANI-PDA/CF anode significantly increased the specific surface area by 489.84 times compared to the unmodified CF anode. The copper removal rate reached 90.53 %, which was 38.1 % higher than that of the conventional CF anode. The maximum power and current density of the PMFC with a PANI-PDA/CF anode were 0.1 mW·m⁻² and 6.28 mA·m⁻², and the steady-state output voltage was 15.47 mV, representing an 837.6 % increase over the unmodified CF anode. The use of PANI-PDA composite material for anodic modification effectively enhances the soil remediation capability and power generation performance of PMFCs, offering a promising approach for the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils and renewable energy production. • A method for synergistic composite modification of anodes using PANI and PDA. • A highly effective approach for copper contaminated soil remediation.

Pasupathi Mukil Sukitha, V. Rajesh Kannan

Desalination and Water Treatment • 2025

The P-MFC technology, which acts as an energy source, is one of the promising methods to reduce environmental pollution. In the present study, the P-MFC was constructed using Oryza sativa (Paddy plant), and various electrode materials like carbon, copper, and titanium oxide were used as cathode and aluminum as anode. The experiment was carried out for 34 days. The plant growth was periodically observed and measured, significantly increasing to produce electricity. The highest growth rate was recorded as 52 ± 1.20 cm whereas the power output varies between P-MFCs. The maximum output voltage was obtained as 1320 ± 230 mV in the copper-based P-MFC. The voltage disparity in PMFCs stipulates using different electrode materials in P-MFC systems resulting in assorted competence of electricity production. The analysis of the plant roots after the experiment revealed increased concentration of amino acid and carbohydrate. According to the correlation analysis, the plant growth was indistinguishable from agricultural field plants, which indicates that P-MFC installation does not cause any crop damage. Available Microbial load on electrode material and rhizospheric soil resembles bacterial population-induced power generation. This study demonstrated that P-MFCs with paddy plants and copper electrode are a favorable and assured application for future potential electricity production. • Standardisation of electrode performance using various P-MFC configurations. • Production of electricity from copper electrodes higher yields. • The research contributes valuable insights into the potential of P-MFCs as sustainable energy sources with minimal environmental impact.

Peng Xu, Enrong Xiao, Junmei Wu et al.

Journal of Environmental Sciences • 2018

Yi‐Hsuan Chen, Shiue-Lin Li, Ching-Ya Hung et al.

Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering • 2024

Insaf Tou, Yamina Mounia Azri, Isabelle George et al.

Biofuels • 2023

Some microorganisms, particularly bacteria, can adhere to conductive surfaces and grow as an electroactive biofilm, on which they communicate electrochemically and generate electricity. Here, a bacterial community isolated from anodic electroactive biofilms of a Microbial Fuel Cell planted with Chlorophytum comosom is studied. Seventeen different bacterial strains were isolated from electroactive biofilms and were identified using the 16S rRNA marker gene. The strains were affiliated to 8 bacteria families and 8 genera (Aeromonas, Enterobacter, Alcaligenes, Pseudomonas, Clostridium, Paraclostridium, Enterococcus and Kurthia spp.). After that, it was demonstrated using electrochemical methods, principally imposed potential chronoamperometry under +0.155 mV/SCE, that the consortium constituted of 17 strains was able to exchange electrons with conductive materials. A maximum current density of 345 µA/cm2 was revealed at 48h of the study, using acetate as the sole carbon source and without any additional external mediator.

Huiyang Wen, Hui Zhu, Baixing Yan et al.

Environmental Science and Pollution Research • 2020

M. Azizul Moqsud, Tun Ahmad Gazali, Kiyoshi Omine et al.

Energy Sources Part A Recovery Utilization and Environmental Effects • 2017

In this research, water plants microbial fuel cells (MFCs) were designed for bioelectricity generation. Organic soil and marine sediment were used for fresh water and sea water plants, respectively. It was observed that sea plants were more efficient for bioelectricity generation than the fresh water plants. The peak voltage reached at 520 mV when Phragmites australis was used. The MFCs without plants always showed significantly lower (80% lower) voltage in both soils. Seasonal variation was not prominent; however, daily solar radiation had noteworthy influences on voltage generation for both plants.

Jurusan Teknologi Hasil Pertanian – Fakultas Teknologi Pertanian – Universitas Brawijaya, Angky Wahyu Putranto, Yusron Sugiarto et al.

Jurnal Teknologi Pertanian • 2018

ABSTRAKPlant Microbial Fuel Cell (PMFC) merupakan salah satu penghasil bioenergi berkelanjutan yang tidak mengganggu produksi pangan serta mereduksi energi input selama produksi energinya. Tanaman padi (Oryza sativa) merupakan tanaman yang berpotensi sebagai penghasil tegangan listrik dalam PMFC. Penelitian ini membahas tentang pengaruh variasi pemupukan dengan pupuk urea (1, 5, dan 10 g) dan jarak elektroda (4, 6, dan 8 cm) dalam sistem PMFC. Variabel yang diukur yaitu tegangan listrik maksimal yang dihasilkan tanaman padi, arus listrik maksimal dan daya listrik maksimal yang dihasilkan. Perekaman data keluaran tegangan listrik dilakukan pada semua sampel sistem PMFC selama 5 hari, mulai pukul 08.00 WIB hingga 15.00 WIB. Penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa nilai tegangan listrik maksimum diperoleh perlakuan pemberian pupuk urea 10 g dan jarak elektroda 6 cm dengan nilai tegangan listrik maksimal sebesar 196 mV, arus listrik maksimal 0.78 mA dan daya listrik maksimal sebesar 153.66 mW/cm2Â ABSTRACTPlant Microbial Fuel Cell (PMFC), one of sustainable bioenergy sources which is not interfere with food production and could reducing energy input during energy production. Oryza sativa is a plant that has potential as a source of electrical voltage in PMFC. This study explained the influence of urea fertilization variation (1, 5, and 10 g) and electrode gaps (4, 6, and 8 cm) in PMFC system. Variables measured are the maximum voltage produced by rice plants, maximum electric current and maximum power density. The output electrical voltage data was recorded on all samples PMFC system for 5 days, from 08.00 am until 03.00 pm. Based on this study, the maximum voltage obtained on 10 g of urea fertilizer and the electrode gap of 6 cm with maximum electric voltage of 196 mV, maximum electric current of 0.78 mA and maximum power density of 153.66 mW/cm2

T. E. Kuleshova, N. R. Gall, Alexander Galushko et al.

The Agrarian Scientific Journal • 2021

The results of the development of an experimental plant-microbial fuel cell (PMFC) construction are presented. It is based on cultivation by the panoponics method and aimed at the joint production of electricity and plant products. The value of bioelectric potentials (BEP) is ~ 100 mV when it is generated in a multi-day mode using a vegetable culture of lettuce. The importance of providing surface electrical contact of roots with electrodes is shown. It is noted that both redox reactions in the nutrient solution and the root system of plants can act as an electromotive force (EMF). It is shown that creating a battery based on the constructed PMFCs, leading to the summation of electrical parameters for a long period (more than 3 days), is possible only in the case of uniformity of the elements included in the electric circuit.

Tao Li, Xiao-Li Yang, Qiaoling Chen et al.

ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering • 2020

The limited amount of electron mediators (EMs) excreted by microorganisms has restricted electricity generation and the related pollutant removal in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The polyphenolic-rich plants contain simple polyphenols or anthraquinones that have promising electron-shuttling potential, but this has not been well understood. Herein, four herbal plants Polygonum multiflorum (T. fallopia), rhubarb (B. rheum), radix rubiae (L. Rubia) and semen cassiae (Catsia tora Linn) were selected and then studied to produce EMs to stimulate electricity generation in MFCs. B. rheum had the highest redox activity and 2% acid pretreatment contributing the most to the release of electroactive substances. The highest power density (18.67 W/m3) and Coulombic efficiency (29.03%) and the lowest internal resistance (29.02 Ω) were achieved in MFCs with B. rheum addition compared to other herbal plants. The satisfactory COD (93.68%) and NH4+-N (39.68%) removal were also obtained with a 0.01 g/L dosage. Confocal laser scanning microscopy and high throughput sequencing analysis showed that B. rheum had the least negative effects on biofilm microstructure and microbial species, corresponding to its outstanding performance. These findings first suggested that B. rheum can be regarded as a promising redox mediator to improve MFC performance. This study provided a new thinking to apply herbal wastewater or pharmaceutical waste in improving the bioelectrochemical system.

Hong Ye, Yang Guangming

International Journal of Electrochemical Science • 2021

In this study, we performed a remediation of hexavalent chromium-contaminated soil within a constructed plant microbial fuel cell and vary the voltage to study its power generation stability. The maximum power density was driven to investigate the performance of systematic electricity generation. Furthermore, the concentration changes in total chromium and hexavalent chromium in the reactor effluent were used to study the effect of Azolla imbricata on the hexavalent chromium removal rate. The results showed that the plant group was 40–80 mV higher when compared with the non-plant group. The maximum power density of the Azolla imbricata group was 2.14 times higher than that of the non-plant group, indicating that the electricity generation performance of the plant group was markedly improved. Compared to the non-plant group, the total chromium and hexavalent chromium residue are only 10.1% and 8.1%, respectively, in the Azolla imbricata group. The synergistic effect of plants and the microbial cell noticeably quickens the hexavalent chromium removal. This work provided a novel strategy for the treatment of hexavalent chromium-contaminated soil.

Nur Syafira Khoirunnisa, Yustian Rovi Alfiansah, Fahrizal Hazra et al.

Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery • 2025

T. E. Kuleshova, Alexander Galushko, N. R. Gall et al.

Abstract book of the 2nd International Scientific Conference "Plants and Microbes: the Future of Biotechnology" PLAMIC2020 • 2020

The experimental plant-microbial fuel cell based on the gradient of bioelectric potentials created in the rhizosphere and compatible with the production of plant products was created and tested.

Svetlana S. Timofeeva, Д. И. Стом, Daria O. Asharapova

XXI century Technosphere Safety • 2023

Phyto-treatment engineering structures have recently found wide application in the biotechnology of wastewater treatment. Currently, it is important to study and use the possibility of bioelectric power generation, as well as develop energy-efficient hybrid technologies based on plant-microbial fuel cells. The purpose of the study is to summarize information on the ability of plant organisms to generate bioelectric potentials and to create plant-fuel cells as a component of an integrated phytotechnology for wastewater treatment in Eastern Siberia. The article shows applications of phytotechnologies for wastewater treatment using a system of algae, higher aquatic vegetation, microorganisms in different climatic zones, including the Arctic. These technologies have been implemented in China, where dozens of such facilities are annually built. The article describes the designs of plant-microbial fuel cells (PMFC), the electrogenic activity of s plants and microorganisms, promising areas for the use of microbial fuel cells, PMFC as power sources for small devices, sensors for early detection of water pollution. Design solutions for creating RMFC batteries for the neutralization of soils contaminated with antibiotics are presented.

Felipe M. Galleguillos Madrid, Mauricio Trigo-González, Sebastián Salazar-Avalos et al.

Plants • 2023

Excess energy derived from photosynthesis can be used in plant microbial fuel cell (PMFC) systems as a sustainable alternative for the generation of electricity. In this study, the in situ performance of CAM (Crassulacean acid metabolism) plants in Calama, in the Atacama Desert, was evaluated for energy recovery using PMFCs with stainless steel AISI 316L and Cu as electrodes. The plant species evaluated included Aloe perfoliata , Cereus jamacaru , Austrocylindropuntia subulata , Agave potatorum , Aloe arborescens, Malephora crocea , and Kalanchoe daigremontiana . Among the plant species, Kalanchoe daigremontiana demonstrated significant potential as an in situ PMFC, showing a maximum cell potential of 0.248 V and a minimum of 0.139 V. In addition, the cumulative energy for recovery was about 9.4 mWh m -2 of the electrode. The use of CAM plants in PMFCs presents a novel approach for green energy generation, as these plants possess an inherent ability to adapt to arid environments and water-scarce areas such as the Atacama Desert climate.

Kumar Sonu, Monika Sogani, Zainab Syed et al.

Journal of Hazardous Toxic and Radioactive Waste • 2024

The plant microbial fuel cell (PMFC) is a novel technology in which organic matter is converted into electricity using living plants and bacteria in the soil. This study presents a sustainable technology for the treatment of dye wastewater and the generation of bioelectricity using an earthen pot–based PMFC. This technique utilized real dye wastewater from the carpet industry for the irrigation of sugarcane plants and a biofertilizer extracted from banana peels with a dosage of 2% in the test PMFC. The application of this biofertilizer in the PMFC markedly enhanced overall performance in dye wastewater treatment, achieving 2.15 times higher color removal and 2.36 times greater chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal compared with the control PMFC (without the biofertilizer). Additionally, plant growth increased by 1.13 times, and electricity generation improved by 3.6 times in the test PMFC. The maximum power density observed was 260 mW/m², with COD and color removal efficiencies of 90% and 97%, respectively, in the test PMFC. In the comparative analysis of power densities, the test PMFC exhibited a power density of 260 mW/m², significantly outperforming the control PMFC, which demonstrated a substantially lower power density of just 72 mW/m². This marked difference underscores the enhanced efficiency and performance of the test PMFC, suggesting potential advancements in PMFCs employing biofertilizers. Therefore, it can be proposed that by utilizing a biofertilizer derived from banana peels in a PMFC system, one can achieve substantial improvements in wastewater treatment efficiency, plant growth, and electricity generation. This method not only addresses environmental pollution from the carpet industry but also contributes to renewable energy production, showcasing a viable solution for integrated waste management and sustainable agricultural practices.