Abstract: The microbial fuel cells (MFCs) research progress is reviewed from the view point of cathodic functions. The cathodic system focuses on electron acceptors. Electron acceptors include traditional oxygen，potassium ferricyanide，permanganate and iodine，as well as protons，heavy metal ions，carbon dioxide and nitrate developed recently. MFCs’ functions expansion into hydrogen production，heavy metal recovery，carbon dioxide capture and nitrogen removal is contributed by the development of new electron acceptors.

Key words: MFCs, electron acceptors, new energy, heavy metal recovery, carbon dioxide capture

摘要： 从微生物燃料电池的阴极功能角度出发，对阴极电子接受体的作用及其发展进行了综述。论述了传统的阴极电子接受体为氧气、铁氰化钾、高锰酸盐及碘的应用，总结了后期发展起来的电子接受体为质子、金属离子、二氧化碳、硝基化合物、硝酸盐等的进展状况。最后对微生物燃料电池功能的拓展进行了展望，微生物燃料电池将在氢能、重金属回收、二氧化碳减排捕获以及脱氮等领域有潜在的应用前景。

关键词: 微生物燃料电池, 电子接收体, 新能源, 重金属回收, 二氧化碳捕获