Recent Advances in Microbial Electrocatalysis

Microbial electrocatalysis is a relatively new field of research in which the intrinsic metabolic capacities of various microbes are coupled with inorganic electrodes to carry out interesting chemical conversions. Given the great diversity in microbial metabolic pathways, a wide variety of processes are possible and have been demonstrated in principle. The generation of electrical currents coupled with the degradation of wastes or the capture of light energy is under extensive investigation. This area has seen the greatest development with an over tenfold increase in power densities in the past decade. A relatively new development is electrosynthesis, the electrically driven fixation of CO2 into various chemicals. Moreover, microbial electrochemical devices can be used to carry out desalination or "unbalanced" chemical conversions. Microbial electrocatalysis has the advantages of the exquisite specificity and regioselectivity of biochemical reactions coupled with the robustness and self-duplicating properties of living systems. Here, recent advances in this area are reviewed with significant achievements highlighted. As well, the major factors limiting practical application are discussed along with future directions for improvement.