Bioinspired electrodes and microbiome synergy: Driving next-generation green energy in benthic plant microbial fuel cells – A comprehensive review

Benthic plant microbial fuel cells (BPMFCs) represent an innovative, sustainable technology that effectively integrates plant photosynthesis with microbial electroactivity, facilitating the generation of renewable electricity alongside the remediation of organic waste. This study offers a critical analysis of the latest developments in BPMFC technology, focussing on 4 essential aspects: (1) novel bio-based electrode materials including functionalised conductive polymer composites, nanomaterial hybrids that enhance electron transfer (ET) efficiency; (2) advanced metagenomic and transcriptomic studies elucidating the electroactive microbial consortia and their unique extracellular ET mechanisms in both rhizosphere and BPMFC configurations; (3) the application of genetically modified plants with enhanced root exudation profiles, increasing power output; (4) innovative remote monitoring systems for BPMFCs employing IoT-enabled wireless sensor networks and long range wide area network technology ensuring reliable voltage measurement transmission from distant locations with minimal signal loss. The review rigorously analyses life cycle assessment studies that substantiate the environmental advantages of PMFCs, especially their carbon-negative potential when combined with wastewater treatment. Even with these advancements, there are still considerable obstacles to overcome in scaling BPMFC technology, such as concerns regarding system durability and questions about economic feasibility. A comprehensive roadmap is provided that integrates artificial intelligence-optimized material design, synthetic microbial community engineering, improved monitoring systems, and circular economy concepts to facilitate the transition from laboratory-scale prototypes to real-world applications. This analysis highlights the promise of BPMFCs as distributed renewable energy systems, particularly in agricultural and aquatic environments, while delineating critical research avenues to tackle existing commercialization obstacles. • Bio-inspired electrode alteration to enhance biofilm growth in BPMFCs is discussed. • Life cycle assessment reveals the ecological benefits of bioengineered electrodes. • Lab-to-field transition challenges in Benthic PMFCs and solutions. • Metagenomics shows electrode-driven microbial shifts in BPMFCs boosting bioenergy yield. • GMP-enhanced BPMFCs with IoT monitoring achieve 32% power boost & remote voltage tracking.