Improved cathode for high efficient microbial-catalyzed reduction in microbial electrosynthesis cells

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2013 Sep 14;15(34):14290-4. doi: 10.1039/c3cp52697f. Epub 2013 Jul 23.

Abstract

Microbial electrosynthesis cells (MECs) are devices wherein microorganisms can electrochemically interact with electrodes, directly donating or accepting electrons from electrode surfaces. Here, we developed a novel cathode by using nickel nanowires anchored to graphite for the improvement of microbial-catalyzed reduction in MEC cathode chamber. This porous nickel-nanowire-network-coated graphite electrode increased the interfacial area and interfacial interactions between the cathode surface and the microbial biofilm. A 2.3 fold increase in bio-reduction rate over the untreated graphite was observed. Around 282 mM day(-1) m(-2) of acetate resulting from the bio-reduction of carbon dioxide by Sporomusa was produced with 82 ± 14% of the electrons consumed being recovered in acetate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biocatalysis
  • Bioelectric Energy Sources* / microbiology
  • Biofilms
  • Carbon Dioxide / chemistry
  • Electrochemical Techniques
  • Electrodes
  • Graphite
  • Nanowires / chemistry
  • Nanowires / ultrastructure
  • Nickel / chemistry
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Veillonellaceae / physiology*

Substances

  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Graphite
  • Nickel