Multitudinous approaches, challenges and opportunities of bioelectrochemical systems in conversion of waste to energy from wastewater treatment plants

Waste pollution contributes to environmental problems, including soil erosion, health problems, and biodiversity loss. A shortage of waste disposal sites and the unexpected generation of millions of tons of solid waste worldwide led to the adoption of various thermal, physical, and biological technologies to convert waste into energy. Through several systematic endeavours in recent years, wastewater management have been effectively achieved upon adoption of sustainable waste management pipelines, bioelectrochemical system for bioenergy production, and usage of nanoparticles guided remediation procedures. Bioelectrochemical systems are emerging techniques for waste management that utilize microbial electron transfer and electrochemical transformation to generate sustainable and carbon-neutral energy. Recent technological advancement has allowed microbial communities to play an increasingly important role in bioelectrochemical systems. Microbiological electrochemical systems (MESs) have emerged as sustainable technology for generating renewable energy and valuable products from waste. Further, different nanotechnological approaches are also being frequently used to generate energy and wastewater pollutants due to their broad spectrum activity, enhanced specificity and selectivity. Their reported antimicrobial nature against several nosocomial and pathogenic microbes dwelling in wastewater has been an added boon for environmentalists prompting their regular usage. This review article integrates recent and updated bioelectrochemical approaches for generating energy and wastewater remediation mechanisms and strategies alongside their various challenges and opportunities.