Development and modification of materials to build cost-effective anodes for microbial fuel cells (MFCs): An overview

[Display omitted] •Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are innovative bioelectrochemical approaches.•The material and cost of the anode electrode are challenging issues in MFCs.•MFCs are still unfeasible for commercialization.•The use of natural materials to build anode electrodes for MFCs is promising. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are innovative bioelectrochemical approaches for natural conversion of waste resources into energy based on the metabolic activities of inoculated bacteria which served as biocatalysts. From all the MFC components, the anode electrode plays a vital role in energy generation and pollutant removal. Thus, it is in direct contact with bacteria and is responsible for the rate of electron transfer from the electroactive bacteria to the anode’s surface. Currently, the material and cost of the anode electrode are emerging challenges in MFC research. This review summarizes some potential natural materials and modification strategies for the construction of anode electrodes to decrease the cost and enhance the performance of MFCs.