Acetate enhances startup of a H2-producing microbial biocathode

Performance and mechanism of a bioelectrochemical system for reduction of heavy metal cadmium ions

This study explores the removal of Cd(ii) from wastewater using a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) to investigate the electrochemical performance and removal kinetics of an anodic polarity reversal biocathode and the mechanism of action of electrochemically active bacteria. Comparative electrochemical methods showed that using an anodic polarity reversal biocathode resulted in greater than 90% removal of different concentrations of Cd(ii) within three days, which may be related to the catalytic effect of anodic electrochemically active bacteria. However, due to the ability of bacteria to regulate, up to nearly 2 mg L-1 of Cd(ii) ions will remain in solution. As shown by the linear fitting relationship between scanning speed and peak current, the removal process was dominated by adsorption control for 20-80 mg L-1 Cd(ii) and diffusion control for 100 mg L-1 Cd(ii). The analysis of raw sludge and sludge containing Cd(ii) showed that Arcobacter and Pseudomonas were the primary cadmium-tolerant bacteria, and that the ability to remove Cd(ii) was the result of a synergistic collaboration between autotrophic and heterotrophic Gram-negative bacteria.

Recycling urine for bioelectrochemical hydrogen production using a MoS2 nano carbon coated electrode in a microbial electrolysis cell

In this study, a novel molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) nano-carbon (NC) coated cathode was developed for hydrogen production in a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC), while treating simulated urine with 2-6 times dilution (conductivity <20 mS cm^-1). MoS₂ nanoparticles were electrodeposited on the NC coated cathodes at -100, -150 and -200 μA cm^-2 and their performances were evaluated in the MEC. The chronopotentiometry (CP) tests showed the improved catalytic activity of MoS₂-NC cathodes with much lower cathode overpotential than non-MoS₂ coated electrodes. The MoS₂-NC200 cathode, electrodeposited at -200 μA cm^-2, showed the maximum hydrogen production rate of 0.152 ± 0.002 m³ H₂ m^-2 d^-1 at 0.9V of E_ap, which is comparable to the previously reported Pt electrodes. It was found that high solution conductivity over 20 mS cm^-1 (>600 mg L^-1 NH₃-N) can adversely affect the biofilm architecture and the bacterial activity at the anode of the MEC. Exoelectrogenic bacteria for this system at the anode were identified as Tissierella (Clostridia) and Bacteroidetes taxa. Maximum ammonia-nitrogen (NH₃-N) and phosphorus (PO₄ ^3--P) removal were 68.7 and 98.6%, respectively. This study showed that the newly fabricated MoS₂-NC cathode can be a cost-effective alternative to the Pt cathode for renewable bioelectrochemical hydrogen production from urine.

Energetics, electron uptake mechanisms and limitations of electroautotrophs growing on biocathodes - A review

Electroautotrophs are microorganisms that can take the electrons needed for energy generation, CO₂ fixation and other metabolic reactions from a polarized electrode. They have been the focus of intense research for its application in wastewater treatment, bioelectrosynthetic processes and hydrogen generation. As a general trend, current densities produced by the electron uptake of these microorganisms are low, limiting their applicability at large scale. In this work, the electron uptake mechanisms that may operate in electroautotrophs are reviewed, aiming at finding possible causes for this low performance. Biomass yields, growth rates and electron uptake rates observed when these microorganisms use chemical electron donors are compared with those typically obtained with electrodes, to explore limitations and advantages inherent to the electroautotrophic metabolism. Also, the factors affecting biofilm development are analysed to show how interfacial interactions condition bacterial adhesion, biofilm growth and electrons uptake. Finally, possible strategies to overcome these limitations are described.

Humin Assists Reductive Acetogenesis in Absence of Other External Electron Donor

The utilization of extracellular electron transfer by microorganism is highly engaging for remediation of toxic pollutants under “energy-starved” conditions. Humin, an organo-mineral complex of soil, has been instrumental as an external electron mediator for suitable electron donors in the remediative works of reductive dehalogenation, denitrification, and so forth. Here, we report, for the first time, that humin assists microbial acetogenesis as the extracellular electron donor using the electron acceptor CO2. Humin was obtained from Kamajima paddy soil, Japan. The anaerobic acetogenic consortium in mineral medium containing CO2/HCO3− as the inorganic carbon source used suspended humin as the energy source under mesophilic dark conditions. Retardation of acetogenesis under the CO2-deficient conditions demonstrated that humin did not function as the organic carbon source but as electron donor in the CO2-reducing acetogenesis. The consortium with humin also achieved anaerobic dechlorination with limited methanogenic activity. Total electron-donating capacity of humin was estimated at about 87 µeeq/g-humin. The metagenomic sequencing of 16S rRNA genes showed the predominance of Firmicutes (71.8 ± 2.5%) in the consortium, and Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae were considered as the CO2-reducing acetogens in the consortium. Thus, microbial fixation of CO2 using humin introduces new insight to the holistic approach for sustainable treatment of contaminants in environment.

Direct microbial transformation of carbon dioxide to value-added chemicals: A comprehensive analysis and application potentials

Carbon dioxide storage in petroleum and other geological reservoirs is an economical option for long-term separation of this gas from the atmosphere. Other options include applications through conversion to valuable chemicals. Microalgae and plants perform direct fixation of carbon dioxide to biomass, which is then used as raw material for further microbial transformation (MT). The approach by microbial transformation can achieve reduction of carbon dioxide and production of biofuels. This review addresses the research and technological processes related to direct MT of carbon dioxide, factors affecting their efficiency in operation and the review of economic feasibility. Additionally, some commercial plants making utilization of CO₂ around the globe are also summarized along with different value-added chemicals (methane, acetate, fatty acids and alcohols) as reported in literature. Further information is also provided for a better understanding of direct CO₂ MT and its future prospects leading to a sustainable and clean environment.

Bidirectional extracellular electron transfers of electrode-biofilm: Mechanism and application

The extracellular electron transfer (EET) between microorganisms and electrodes forms the basis for microbial electrochemical technology (MET), which recently have advanced as a flexible platform for applications in energy and environmental science. This review, for the first time, focuses on the electrode-biofilm capable of bidirectional EET, where the electrochemically active bacteria (EAB) can conduct both the outward EET (from EAB to electrodes) and the inward EET (from electrodes to EAB). Only few microorganisms are tested in pure culture with the capability of bidirectional EET, however, the mixed culture based bidirectional EET offers great prospects for biocathode enrichment, pollutant complete mineralization, biotemplated material development, pH stabilization, and bioelectronic device design. Future efforts are necessary to identify more EAB capable of the bidirectional EET, to balance the current density, to evaluate the effectiveness of polarity reversal for biocathode enrichment, and to boost the future research endeavors of such a novel function.

Effects of Applied Potential and Reactants to Hydrogen-Producing Biocathode in a Microbial Electrolysis Cell

Understanding the mechanism of electron transfer between the cathode and microorganisms in cathode biofilms in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) for hydrogen production is important. In this study, biocathodes of MECs were successfully re-enriched and subjected to different operating parameters: applied potential, sulfate use and inorganic carbon consumption. It was hypothesized that biocathode catalytic activity would be affected by the applied potentials that initiate electron transfer. While inorganic carbon, in the form of bicarbonate, could be a main carbon source for biocathode growth, sulfate could be a terminal electron acceptor and thus reduced to elemental sulfurs. It was found that potentials more negative than -0.8 V (vs. standard hydrogen electrode) were required for hydrogen production by the biocathode. In additional, a maximum hydrogen production was observed at sulfate and bicarbonate concentrations of 288 and 610 mg/L respectively. Organic carbons were found in the cathode effluents, suggesting that microbial interactions probably happen between acetogens and sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB). The hydrogen-producing biocathode was sulfate-dependent and hydrogen production could be inhibited by excessive sulfate because more energy was directed to reduce sulfate (E° SO 4 2 - /H2S = -0.35 V) than proton (E° H+/H2 = -0.41 V). This resulted in a restriction to the hydrogen production when sulfate concentration was high. Domestic wastewaters contain low amounts of organic compounds and sulfate would be a better medium to enrich and maintain a hydrogen-producing biocathode dominated by SRB. Besides the risks of limited mass transport and precipitation caused by low potential, methane contamination in the hydrogen-rich environment was inevitable in the biocathode after long term operation due to methanogenic activities.

Acceleration of electroactive anammox (electroammox) start-up by switching acetate pre-acclimated biofilms to electroammox biofilms

In this study, an operational method of switching acetate media to ammonium media after the formation of stable acetate-oxidizing biofilms (ACAM mode), was developed. The results showed that the start-up time was shortened to 48days in the ACAM mode compared to the AM (always ammonium media) mode (>120days), and an ammonia removal rate of 82±3% was achieved successfully and sustainably in the ACAM mode during the following long-term operation of more than 2months. Moreover, the ACAM mode was more efficient in enriching both electroammox bacteria and electricigens with Ignavibacteriaceae, Geobacteraceae and Nitrosomonadaceae as dominant families, which could favour the formation of high-performance electroammox biofilms. Thus, the ACAM mode might promote the widespread implementation of the electroammox process.

Bioanode as a limiting factor to biocathode performance in microbial electrolysis cells

The bioanode is important for a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) and its robustness to maintain its catalytic activity affects the performance of the whole system. Bioanodes enriched at a potential of +0.2V (vs. standard hydrogen electrode) were able to sustain their oxidation activity when the anode potential was varied from -0.3 up to +1.0V. Chronoamperometric test revealed that the bioanode produced peak current density of 0.36A/m² and 0.37A/m² at applied potential 0 and +0.6V, respectively. Meanwhile hydrogen production at the biocathode was proportional to the applied potential, in the range from -0.5 to -1.0V. The highest production rate was 7.4L H₂/(m² cathode area)/day at -1.0V cathode potential. A limited current output at the bioanode could halt the biocathode capability to generate hydrogen. Therefore maximum applied potential that can be applied to the biocathode was calculated as -0.84V without overloading the bioanode.

A review on bio-electrochemical systems (BESs) for the syngas and value added biochemicals production

Bio-electrochemical systems (BESs) are the microbial systems which are employed to produce electricity directly from organic wastes along with some valuable chemicals production such as medium chain fatty acids; acetate, butyrate and alcohols. In this review, recent updates about value-added chemicals production concomitantly with the production of gaseous fuels like hydrogen and methane which are considered as cleaner for the environment have been addressed. Additionally, the bottlenecks associated with the conversion rates, lower yields and other aspects have been mentioned. In spite of its infant stage development, this would be the future trend of energy, biochemicals and electricity production in greener and cleaner pathway with the win-win situation of organic waste remediation. Henceforth, this review intends to summarise and foster the progress made in the BESs and discusses its challenges and outlook on future research advances.

Microbiome involved in microbial electrochemical systems (MESs): A review

Microbial electrochemical systems (MESs) are an attracting technology for the disposal of wastewater treatment and simultaneous energy production. In MESs, at the anode microorganisms through the catalytic activity generates electrons that can be converted into electricity or other valuable chemical compounds. Microorganisms those having ability to donate and accept electrons to and from anode and cathode electrodes, respectively are recognized as 'exoelectrogens'. In the MESs, it renders an important function for its performance. In the present mini-review, we have discussed the role of microbiome including pure culture, enriched culture and mixed culture in different BESs application. The effects of operational and biological factors on microbiome development have been discussed. Further discussion about the molecular techniques for the evaluation of microbial community analysis is addressed. In addition different electrochemical techniques for extracellular electron transfer (EET) mechanism of electroactive biofilms have been discussed. This review highlights the importance of microbiome in the development of MESs, effective operational factors for exo-electrogens activities as well their key challenges and future technological aspects are also briefly discussed.

Microbial polychlorinated biphenyl dechlorination in sediments by electrical stimulation: The effect of adding acetate and nonionic surfactant

The necessity for developing an efficient and cost-effective in situ bioremediation technology for sediments contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) has prompted the application of low-voltage electrical fields to anaerobic digestion systems. Here we show that the use of a sediment-based bio-electrochemical reactor (BER) poised at a potential of -0.50V (vs. a standard calomel electrode, SCE) substantially enhanced the reduction of 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB 61) when acetate was added as a carbon source. The addition of surfactant Tween 80 to the BER further accelerated the PCB 61 transformation. The comparative study of closed- and open-circuit reactors demonstrated the enrichment conditions affecting the bacterial community structure, the dominant dechlorination metabolisms, and thus the extent, the rate and the products of the reduction of PCBs. The dominant bacterial dechlorinators detected in the BERs in the presence of acetate and Tween 80 are Dehalogenimonas, Dehalobacter, Sulfuricurvum, Dechloromonas and Geobacter, which should be responsible for PCB dechlorination. This study improves understanding of the key factors influencing dechlorination activity in sediment-based BERs polarized at a low potential, as well as the metabolic mechanisms dominating in the PCB dechlorination process.

Enhanced microbial electrosynthesis by using defined co-cultures

Microbial uptake of free cathodic electrons presents a poorly understood aspect of microbial physiology. Uptake of cathodic electrons is particularly important in microbial electrosynthesis of sustainable fuel and chemical precursors using only CO₂ and electricity as carbon, electron and energy source. Typically, large overpotentials (200 to 400 mV) were reported to be required for cathodic electron uptake during electrosynthesis of, for example, methane and acetate, or low electrosynthesis rates were observed. To address these limitations and to explore conceptual alternatives, we studied defined co-cultures metabolizing cathodic electrons. The Fe(0)-corroding strain IS4 was used to catalyze the electron uptake reaction from the cathode forming molecular hydrogen as intermediate, and Methanococcus maripaludis and Acetobacterium woodii were used as model microorganisms for hydrogenotrophic synthesis of methane and acetate, respectively. The IS4-M. maripaludis co-cultures achieved electromethanogenesis rates of 0.1-0.14 μmol cm^-2 h^-1 at -400 mV vs standard hydrogen electrode and 0.6-0.9 μmol cm^-2 h^-1 at -500 mV. Co-cultures of strain IS4 and A. woodii formed acetate at rates of 0.21-0.23 μmol cm^-2 h^-1 at -400 mV and 0.57-0.74 μmol cm^-2 h^-1 at -500 mV. These data show that defined co-cultures coupling cathodic electron uptake with synthesis reactions via interspecies hydrogen transfer may lay the foundation for an engineering strategy for microbial electrosynthesis.

Substrate and electrode potential affect electrotrophic activity of inverted bioanodes

Electricity-consuming microbial communities can serve as biocathodic catalysts in microbial electrochemical technologies. Initiating their functionality, however, remains a challenge. One promising approach is the polarity inversion of bioanodes. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of bioanode substrate and electrode potentials on inverted electrotrophic activity. Bioanodes derived from domestic wastewater were operated at -0.15V or +0.15V (vs. standard hydrogen electrode) with either acetate or formate as the sole carbon source. After this enrichment phase, cathodic linear sweep voltammetry and polarization revealed that formate-enriched cultures consumed almost 20 times the current (-3.0±0.78mA; -100±26A/m(3)) than those established with acetate (-0.16±0.09mA; -5.2±2.9A/m(3)). The enrichment electrode potential had an appreciable impact for formate, but not acetate, adapted cultures, with the +0.15V enrichment generating twice the cathodic current of the -0.15V enrichment. The total charge consumed during cathodic polarization was comparable to the charge released during subsequent anodic polarization for the formate-adapted cultures, suggesting that these communities accumulated charge or generated reduced products that could be rapidly oxidized. These findings imply that it may be possible to optimize electrotrophic activity through specific bioanodic enrichment procedures.

The biocathode of microbial electrochemical systems and microbially-influenced corrosion

The cathode reaction is one of the most important limiting factors in bioelectrochemical systems even with precious metal catalysts. Since aerobic bacteria have a much higher affinity for oxygen than any known abiotic cathode catalysts, the performance of a microbial fuel cell can be improved through the use of electrochemically-active oxygen-reducing bacteria acting as the cathode catalyst. These consume electrons available from the electrode to reduce the electron acceptors present, probably conserving energy for growth. Anaerobic bacteria reduce protons to hydrogen in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs). These aerobic and anaerobic bacterial activities resemble those catalyzing microbially-influenced corrosion (MIC). Sulfate-reducing bacteria and homoacetogens have been identified in MEC biocathodes. For sustainable operation, microbes in a biocathode should conserve energy during such electron-consuming reactions probably by similar mechanisms as those occurring in MIC. A novel hypothesis is proposed here which explains how energy can be conserved by microbes in MEC biocathodes.

Applied potentials regulate recovery of residual hydrogen from acid-rich effluents: Influence of biocathodic buffer capacity over process performance

An absolute biological microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) was operated for a prolonged period under different applied potentials (Eapp, -0.2V to -1.0V) and hydrogen (H2) production was observed using acid-rich effluent. Among these potentials, an optimal voltage of -0.6 V influenced the biocathode by which maximum H2 production of 120 ± 9 ml was noticed. This finding was corroborated with dehydrogenase activity (1.8 ± 0.1 μg/ml) which is the key enzyme for H2 production. The in situ biocathode regulated buffer overpotentials which was remarkably observed by the change in peak heights of dissociation value (pKa) from the titration curve. Substrate degradation analysis gave an estimate of coulombic efficiency of about 72 ± 5% when operated at optimal voltage. Evidently, the electron transfer from solid carbon electrode to biocathode was analyzed by cyclic voltammetry and its derivatives showed the involvement of redox mediators. Despite, the MEC endures certain activation overpotentials which were estimated from the Tafel slope analysis.

A graphene modified biocathode for enhancing hydrogen production

Graphene can dramatically improve the performance of biocatalyst for hydrogen production by modifying biocathode.

Enhanced electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to formic acid using a two-layer gas diffusion electrode in a microbial electrolysis cell

Using a two-layer gas diffusion electrode for ERCF in MEC, the Faraday efficiency was improved by 36.1%.

Influence of acidic pH on hydrogen and acetate production by an electrosynthetic microbiome

Production of hydrogen and organic compounds by an electrosynthetic microbiome using electrodes and carbon dioxide as sole electron donor and carbon source, respectively, was examined after exposure to acidic pH (∼5). Hydrogen production by biocathodes poised at −600 mV vs. SHE increased>100-fold and acetate production ceased at acidic pH, but ∼5–15 mM (catholyte volume)/day acetate and>1,000 mM/day hydrogen were attained at pH ∼6.5 following repeated exposure to acidic pH. Cyclic voltammetry revealed a 250 mV decrease in hydrogen overpotential and a maximum current density of 12.2 mA/cm² at −765 mV (0.065 mA/cm² sterile control at −800 mV) by the Acetobacterium-dominated community. Supplying −800 mV to the microbiome after repeated exposure to acidic pH resulted in up to 2.6 kg/m³/day hydrogen (≈2.6 gallons gasoline equivalent), 0.7 kg/m³/day formate, and 3.1 kg/m³/day acetate ( = 4.7 kg CO₂ captured).

Microbial community structure and function of nitrobenzene reduction biocathode in response to carbon source switchover

The stress of poised cathode potential condition and carbon source switchover for functional biocathode microbial community influences is poorly understood. Using high-throughput functional gene array (GeoChip v4.2) and Illumina 16S rRNA gene MiSeq sequencing, we investigated the phylogenetic and functional microbial community of the initial inoculum and biocathode for bioelectrochemical reduction of nitrobenzene to less toxic aniline in response to carbon source switchover (from organic glucose to inorganic bicarbonate). Selective transformation of nitrobenzene to aniline maintained in the bicarbonate fed biocathode although nitrobenzene reduction rate and aniline formation rate were significantly decreased compared to those of the glucose-fed biocathode. When the electrical circuit of the glucose-fed biocathode was disconnected, both rates of nitrobenzene reduction and of aniline formation were markedly decreased, confirming the essential role of an applied electric field for the enhancement of nitrobenzene reduction. The stress of poised cathode potential condition led to clear succession of microbial communities from the initial inoculum to biocathode and the carbon source switchover obviously changed the microbial community structure of biocathode. Most of the dominant genera were capable of reducing nitroaromatics to the corresponding aromatic amines regardless of the performance mode. Heterotrophic Enterococcus was dominant in the glucose-fed biocathode while autotrophic Paracoccus and Variovorax were dominant in the bicarbonate-fed biocathode. Relatively higher intensity of diverse multi-heme cytochrome c (putatively involved in electrons transfer) and carbon fixation genes was observed in the biocarbonate-fed biocathode, likely met the requirement of the energy conservation and maintained the nitrobenzene selective reduction capability after carbon source switchover. Extracellular pilin, which are important for biofilm formation and potential conductivity, had a higher gene abundance in the glucose-fed biocathode might explain the enhancement of electro-catalysis activity for nitrobenzene reduction with glucose supply. Dominant nitroaromatics-reducing or electrochemically active bacteria and diverse functional genes related to electrons transfer and nitroaromatics reduction were associated with nitrobenzene reduction efficiency of biocathode communities in response to carbon source switchover.

Direct electron transfer from electrode to electrochemically active bacteria in a bioelectrochemical dechlorination system

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) was dechlorinated by electrochemically active bacteria using an electrode as the direct electron donor. Dechlorination efficiency and coulombic efficiency (CE) were investigated. When hydrogen evolution reaction was eliminated by controlling the potential, both dechlorination efficiency and CE increase as the potential decreases, which implied the dechlorination was stimulated by electric current rather than hydrogen gas. Further investigation of the cyclic voltammetry characterization of the medium revealed nearly no redox mediator secreted by the bacteria. Moreover, the comparison of dechlorination experiments carried out with filtered and unfiltered medium provided convincible evidence that the dominating electron transfer mechanism for the dechlorination is direct electron transfer. Additionally, 454 pyrosequencing technique was employed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the biocathodic microbial community. The results showed Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the three predominant groups. This paper demonstrated the direct electron transfer mechanism could be involved in PCP dechlorination with a biocathode.

Analysis of oxygen reduction and microbial community of air-diffusion biocathode in microbial fuel cells

Microbes play irreplaceable role in oxygen reduction reaction of biocathode in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). In this study, air-diffusion biocathode MFCs were set up for accelerating oxygen reduction and microbial community analysis. Linear sweep voltammetry and Tafel curve confirmed the function of cathode biofilm to catalyze oxygen reduction. Microbial community analysis revealed higher diversity and richness of community in plankton than in biofilm. Proteobacteria was the shared predominant phylum in both biofilm and plankton (39.9% and 49.8%) followed by Planctomycetes (29.9%) and Bacteroidetes (13.3%) in biofilm, while Bacteroidetes (28.2%) in plankton. Minor fraction (534, 16.4%) of the total operational taxonomic units (3252) was overlapped demonstrating the disproportionation of bacterial distribution in biofilm and plankton. Pseudomonadales, Rhizobiales and Sphingobacteriales were exoelectrogenic orders in the present study. The research obtained deep insight of microbial community and provided more comprehensive information on uncultured rare bacteria.

Biocatalysed sulphate removal in a BES cathode

Sulphate reduction in a biological cathode and physically separated from biological organic matter oxidation has been studied in this paper. The bioelectrochemical system was operated as microbial fuel cell (for bioelectricity production) to microbial electrolysis cell (with applied voltage). Sulphate reduction was not observed without applied voltage and only resulted when the cathodic potential was poised at -0.26V vs. SHE, with a minimum energy requirement of 0.7V, while maximum removal occurred at 1.4V applied. The reduction of sulphate led to sulphide production, which was entrapped in the ionic form thanks to the high biocathode pH (i.e. pH of 10) obtained during the process.

Linking bacterial metabolism to graphite cathodes: electrochemical insights into the H(2) -producing capability of Desulfovibrio sp

Microbial biocathodes allow converting and storing electricity produced from renewable sources in chemical fuels (e.g., H(2) ) and are, therefore, attracting considerable attention as alternative catalysts to more expensive and less available noble metals (notably Pt). Microbial biocathodes for H(2) production rely on the ability of hydrogenase-possessing microorganisms to catalyze proton reduction, with a solid electrode serving as direct electron donor. This study provides new chemical and electrochemical data on the bioelectrocatalytic activity of Desulfovibrio species. A combination of chronoamperometry, cyclic voltammetry, and impedance spectroscopy tests were used to assess the performance of the H(2) -producing microbial biocathode and to shed light on the involved electron transfer mechanisms. Cells attached onto a graphite electrode were found to catalyze H(2) production for cathode potentials more reducing than -900 mV vs. standard hydrogen electrode. The highest obtained H(2) production was 8 mmol L(-1) per day, with a Coulombic efficiency close to 100 %. The electrochemical performance of the biocathode changed over time probably due to the occurrence of enzyme activation processes induced by extended electrode polarization. Remarkably, H(2) (at least up to 20 % v/v) was not found to significantly inhibit its own production.

Enrichment of microbial electrolysis cell biocathodes from sediment microbial fuel cell bioanodes

Electron-accepting (electrotrophic) biocathodes were produced by first enriching graphite fiber brush electrodes as the anodes in sediment-type microbial fuel cells (sMFCs) using two different marine sediments and then electrically inverting the anodes to function as cathodes in two-chamber bioelectrochemical systems (BESs). Electron consumption occurred at set potentials of -439 mV and -539 mV (versus the potential of a standard hydrogen electrode) but not at -339 mV in minimal media lacking organic sources of energy. Results at these different potentials were consistent with separate linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) scans that indicated enhanced activity (current consumption) below only ca. -400 mV. MFC bioanodes not originally acclimated at a set potential produced electron-accepting (electrotrophic) biocathodes, but bioanodes operated at a set potential (+11 mV) did not. CO(2) was removed from cathode headspace, indicating that the electrotrophic biocathodes were autotrophic. Hydrogen gas generation, followed by loss of hydrogen gas and methane production in one sample, suggested hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. There was abundant microbial growth in the biocathode chamber, as evidenced by an increase in turbidity and the presence of microorganisms on the cathode surface. Clone library analysis of 16S rRNA genes indicated prominent sequences most similar to those of Eubacterium limosum (Butyribacterium methylotrophicum), Desulfovibrio sp. A2, Rhodococcus opacus, and Gemmata obscuriglobus. Transfer of the suspension to sterile cathodes made of graphite plates, carbon rods, or carbon brushes in new BESs resulted in enhanced current after 4 days, demonstrating growth by these microbial communities on a variety of cathode substrates. This report provides a simple and effective method for enriching autotrophic electrotrophs by the use of sMFCs without the need for set potentials, followed by the use of potentials more negative than -400 mV.