From Wastewater to Bio-Hydrogen: Advancing Microbial Electrolysis Cells Through Challenges, Innovations, and Process Integration
- 1Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- 2Department of Civil, Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
- 3Institute of Environmental Geology and Geoengineering, National Research Council, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
Abstract
The growing demand for sustainable energy carriers has intensified interest in hydrogen production from renewable resources and waste-derived substrates. In this context, microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) have emerged as a promising technology for the simultaneous treatment of organic waste and biohydrogen generation. This review provides an overview of recent advances in MEC systems, focusing on reactor configurations, performance indicators such as hydrogen production rate, coulombic efficiency, and chemical oxygen demand removal. Attention is given to the valorization of real waste streams, including municipal and agro-industrial effluents, highlighting the differences between laboratory- and pilot-scale applications. While numerous studies have demonstrated the technical feasibility of MECs, several bottlenecks still limit their large-scale implementation, including challenges associated with the use of complex substrates. In particular, untreated wastewater often leads to reduced process efficiency due to its variable composition and the occurrence of competing microbial pathways. To overcome these limitations, integrated approaches are also discussed, with emphasis on the coupling of dark fermentation, capable of enhancing substrate biodegradability through the production of volatile fatty acids, with MEC systems. Overall, MEC technology represents a promising pathway for sustainable hydrogen production within circular waste management frameworks, although further advancements are required to enable its practical application.
Related
- Recent advances in nickel-based catalysts for alkaline seawater electrolysis: Oxygen evolution, hybrid anodic reactions and electrolyzer integration
- Advancing knowledge on biodiversity-driven ecological connectivity at sea and across the land–sea interface: challenges and future directions
- Advancing Spatial Pattern Integration in Species Distribution Modelling With Computer Vision: How Grain Size and Extent Concepts Shape Predictions of Emerging Aquatic Insects
- Résilience et réactivité des pêcheurs artisans sénégalais : la crise écologique comme moteur d’innovations
- Conductive Alginate–Carbon-Black Bioanode for Immediate Microbial Electrolysis Cell Operation
BibTeX
@article{marchetti2026from,
title = {{From Wastewater to Bio-Hydrogen: Advancing Microbial Electrolysis Cells Through Challenges, Innovations, and Process Integration}},
author = {Angela Marchetti and Geremia Sassetto and Daniele Cabras and Seyedmehdi Hosseini and Stefano Milia and Marco Zeppilli},
journal = {Hydrogen},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.3390/hydrogen7020085},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrogen7020085},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - From Wastewater to Bio-Hydrogen: Advancing Microbial Electrolysis Cells Through Challenges, Innovations, and Process Integration
AU - Angela Marchetti
AU - Geremia Sassetto
AU - Daniele Cabras
AU - Seyedmehdi Hosseini
AU - Stefano Milia
AU - Marco Zeppilli
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/19
JO - Hydrogen
DO - 10.3390/hydrogen7020085
UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrogen7020085
AB - The growing demand for sustainable energy carriers has intensified interest in hydrogen production from renewable resources and waste-derived substrates. In this context, microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) have emerged as a promising technology for the simultaneous treatment of organic waste and biohydrogen generation. This review provides an overview of recent advances in MEC systems, focusing on reactor configurations, performance indicators such as hydrogen production rate, coulombic efficiency, and chemical oxygen demand removal. Attention is given to the valorization of real waste streams, including municipal and agro-industrial effluents, highlighting the differences between laboratory- and pilot-scale applications. While numerous studies have demonstrated the technical feasibility of MECs, several bottlenecks still limit their large-scale implementation, including challenges associated with the use of complex substrates. In particular, untreated wastewater often leads to reduced process efficiency due to its variable composition and the occurrence of competing microbial pathways. To overcome these limitations, integrated approaches are also discussed, with emphasis on the coupling of dark fermentation, capable of enhancing substrate biodegradability through the production of volatile fatty acids, with MEC systems. Overall, MEC technology represents a promising pathway for sustainable hydrogen production within circular waste management frameworks, although further advancements are required to enable its practical application.
SN - 2673-4141
ER -