Progress and recent trends in photosynthetic assisted microbial fuel cells: A review

Abstract Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) such as microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and plant microbial fuel cells (P-MFCs) are renewable energy sources, which have been developed for various applications. These include, biosensors, biofuel production, wastewater treatment, surface water remediation and contaminated sediments. Unlike conventional MFCs, P-MFCs can generate electricity continuously while the plant grows and can be used in any field use for crop production without harming the plants. However, the application of these systems on a large-scale has presented great challenges to date. This is firstly due to commercialization; secondly, low energy efficiency when compared to other systems. This has been based on, several configurations of P-MFC embedded with C3, C4 and CAM plants, bryophytes, macrophyte and algae which have previously been reported. However, there can be no doubt that these technologies have other advantages, which are largely based on the self-sustaining nature of bacteria transfer or accepted electrons. Recent signs of progress in the configurations, different electrode materials used, the requirements of bioelectricity generation for the improvement of P-MFCs, as well as their possible application in real-time and associated challenges are shown here. P-MFC technologies will no doubt receive more attention when they are scaled up and properly configured to be applied in real-time in order to reduce energy shortages.