TY - JOUR ID - 131249 TI - A review on the application of nanomaterials in improving microbial fuel cells JO - Biofuel Research Journal JA - BRJ LA - en SN - AU - Mashkour, Mehrdad AU - Rahimnejad, Mostafa AU - Raouf, Fereshteh AU - Navidjouy, Nahid AD - Biofuel & Renewable Energy Research Center, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Babol, Iran. AD - Faculty of Engineering, Guilan University, Rasht, Iran. AD - Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran. Y1 - 2021 PY - 2021 VL - 8 IS - 2 SP - 1400 EP - 1416 KW - Microbial fuel cell KW - Nanomaterials KW - Electron transfer KW - nanocatalyst KW - biofouling KW - Nanobiosensing DO - 10.18331/BRJ2021.8.2.5 N2 - Materials at the nanoscale show exciting and different properties. In this review, the applications of nanomaterials for modifying the main components of microbial fuel cell (MFC) systems (i.e., electrodes and membranes) and their effect on cell performance are reviewed and critically discussed. Carbon and metal-based nanoparticles and conductive polymers could contribute to the growth of thick anodic and cathodic microbial biofilms, leading to enhanced electron transfer between the electrodes and the biofilm. Extending active surface area, increasing conductivity, and biocompatibility are among the significant attributes of promising nanomaterials used in MFC modifications. The application of nanomaterials in fabricating cathode catalysts (catalyzing oxygen reduction reaction) is also reviewed herein. Among the various nanocatalysts used on the cathode side, metal-based nanocatalysts such as metal oxides and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are regarded as inexpensive and high-performance alternatives to the conventionally used high-cost Pt. In addition, polymeric membranes modified with hydrophilic and antibacterial nanoparticles could lead to higher proton conductivity and mitigated biofouling compared to the conventionally used and expensive Nafion. These improvements could lead to more promising cell performance in power generation, wastewater treatment, and nanobiosensing. Future research efforts should also take into account decreasing the production cost of the nanomaterials and the environmental safety aspects of these compounds. UR - https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_131249.html L1 - https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_131249_2ef4502efdb7c2aac5584e5683d7ce63.pdf ER -