Research Progress and Prospects of Microbial Electrochemistry Based on Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy

Microbes widely exist in nature and possess the ability to transform carbon compounds into energy through respiratory metabolism , which are important for element biogeochemical cycle , matters and energy conversion via redox reactions and electron transfer. Electrochemical and its integrated technologies are convenient in revealing the electron transfer mechanism at biotic-abiotic interface. Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) is a scanning probe technology for visualizing the local redox activity of a surface with a high sensitivity and spatial resolution , and it enables in situ monitor microbial respiratory activity , electricity generation ability and micro-environmental factors of biofilms. On the basis of the composition and working principles, this review discussed the functional role of SECM for in situ revealing the electron transfer mechanism, summarized the researches in applications fields of microbial chips, bio-electrochemical systems and metal corrosion, and finally made a conclusion on the opportunities and challenges of the microbial electrochemistry in the future.

Automated summary

Microbes play a key role in element biogeochemical cycle, redox reactions, and electron transfer, while electrochemical technologies can reveal the electron transfer mechanism at the biotic-abiotic interface. SECM technology allows high sensitivity monitoring of microbial respiratory activity, electricity generation ability, and micro-environmental factors of biofilms.