Author(s):
Anuj Sharma, Aman Grewal, Shubham Kumar Patial, Amit L. Sharma, Suman Singh

Abstract:
Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) utilize microbes for energy generation, which means microbes that are known to be harmful can still be non-harmful for their capability to produce alternate energy sources, thus giving dual benefits: waste reduction with simultaneous energy generation. However, the performance of these systems depends on the electrode material, which controls the electrode’s extracellular electron transfer and electron retrieval mechanism. Different materials have been tested as electrode materials to maximize energy efficiency. Recently, carbon-based nanomaterials like graphene sheets, carbon nano-tubes/wires, and quantum dots have been employed successfully as cathode and anode electrodes. These nanomaterials are environment-friendly, non-toxic, and have high physical/chemical stability. This review is an attempt to provide a comprehensive summary of different carbon-based nanomaterials used as electrode modifier materials for BES systems covering the dimensionality of the functional materials (0-D, 1-D, and 2-D), synthesis of materials, carbon composite materials, and (iv) their application in microbial/bio photovoltaic fuel cells (electro/photocatalysis). This review article will also discuss various electrode materials generally used in BESs. There is a surge in the use of carbon-based materials and the opting for low-cost optimised electrodes over expensive, efficient ones. After that, a discussion will be made on the researched nanomaterial approach, their use as advanced working electrode material, with respect to their dimensionality, and the reported power generated by incorporating these materials as electrodes. Then, a detailed discussion will be made on the composite structures that have been reported as more efficient electrode materials than conventional and metal-based electrodes. The coming section briefly explains the design and working principle of MFCs.

Pages: 591-627

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