Electrochemical performances and pollutants removal characteristics of synthetic landfill leachate were investigated using three dual-chambered microbial fuel cells (MFCs). An open circuit MFC, aerated MFC and non-aerated MFC were used to compare the performance of the different modes. Results showed that aerated MFC was superior to the open circuit MFC and the non-aerated MFC in generating electricity and removing pollutants. High-throughput sequencing of the bacterial and archaeal communities revealed that electricigen of Enterobacter and Comamonas was found in three MFCs. Methanobacterium was the genus of archaea present at the highest proportion in the open circuit MFG, non-aerated MFG and aerated MFC, at 56.67%, 51.62% and 58.37%, respectively. Diversity of the bacterial and archaeal community in open circuit MFC is higher than that of closed circuit MFC. Richness goes by contrary. The circuit connections and growth conditions can help to control the species of biomass and change the performance of MFCs. (C) 2017 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.