Direct solar energy in microbial solar cells as a future source of electrical energy

摘要

Solar energy is one of the most investigated sources of renewable energy to supply the increasing demand of power. Nowadays, Microbial Solar Cells (MSCs) are photo-bioelectrochemical device of great interest since their only source of energy to generate electricity is light. This review collects information of different microbial photo-biocatalysts such as whole cells, sub-cellular membranes and protein complexes that could be used in MSC's devices. There is also an analysis and comparison of studies that aim to improve the efficiency and power output of MSCs (using whole cells) focusing on variable like anodic treatment with semiconductor materials, use of pure and mixed cultures as biocatalysts, and the addition of exogenous anodic mediators. Finally, a comparative analysis of efficiencies between MSCs and heterotroph Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) is presented.