Abstract

Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) have emerged as a promising technology for simultaneous industrial effluent treatment and energy generation. By harnessing microbial metabolic activity, MFCs convert organic substrates directly into electrical energy. This review explores the fundamentals of MFC operation, recent technological advancements, applications in industrial effluent treatment, scaling challenges, and potential obstacles. Key advancements include electrode material improvements, microbial consortium optimization, and enhanced system integration. Applications in effluent treatment highlight MFCs' capability to reduce pollutants and generate electricity sustainably. Challenges such as electrode scaling, biofilm management, and long-term stability hinder widespread adoption but present opportunities for future research and development. Overall, MFCs represent a transformative approach to sustainable wastewater treatment and renewable energy generation, requiring continued innovation to realize their full industrial potential.