Nano-Bio Interface: Engineering of Microbial Electron Transfer with Advanced Nanomaterials

Abstract In energy-conversion systems, nanomaterials have become a potent tool for boosting microbial activity and optimizing electron-transfer processes. The unique physicochemical characteristics of nanomaterials include a large surface area, tunable conductivity, and customizable surface functions. These properties facilitate precise interactions with microbial cells and biofilms. Nanomaterials can enhance microbe-electrode interfaces, promote EET, and boost cellular metabolism. Conductive nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, graphene derivatives, and metal nanoparticles markedly increase microbial electrogenerative performance in applications such as microbial fuel cells, bioremediation, biosensing, and bio-electrosynthesis. Designed nanostructures can also serve as structural scaffolds, redox mediators, or electron shuttles to maximize electron flow between microorganisms and solid surfaces. This chapter addresses approaches for safe and sustainable integration of nanotechnology in microbial electrochemical technologies and highlights recent advances in nanomaterial-assisted microbial stimulation and electron transfer.