Oxygen-reducing bidirectional microbial electrodes: A mini-review

Abstract

Aerobic bidirectional microbial electrodes (ABME) oxidize matter in anodic conditions (substrate supply, no oxygen) and reduce oxygen in cathodic conditions (oxygen supply, no substrate). The different experimental protocols used to design them, their electrochemical performance and the microbial populations involved are reviewed here. In spite of a limited number of studies, ABMEs have already shown promising capabilities to solve the issues of oxygen crossover and pH control in microbial fuel cells. They may also broaden the field of efficient electroactive bacteria to phyla other than Proteobacteria.

Keywords

• Microbial fuel cell
• Microbial electrochemical snorkel
• Bioelectrochemical system
• Microbial electrochemical technology
• Microbial population
• Wastewater treatment