Abstract
Bio-fuel cell, or microbial fuel cells (MFCs) can convert chemical energy of organic compounds to electric power, with their aerobic degradation to CO2 and water. MFCs are analogous to polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) in terms of the reaction sequences: fuel oxidation, proton transfer and oxygen reduction, whereas MFCs can be also considered as a waste treatment reactor. In this review, in comparison with PEFC, the items explained are the mechanism of MFCs, application of MFCs to wastewater/organic waste (rice straw and excess sludge) disposal, and application of “exoelectrogens” to mediator-less MFCs. Feasibility of MFCs is discussed for designing reactor structures of MFCs as semi-continuous, mediator-less, and single-chambered form.
