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de Smit SM, van Mameren TD, van Zwet K, van Veelen HPJ, Cristina Gagliano M, Strik DPBTB, Bitter JH. Integration of biocompatible hydrogen evolution catalyst developed from metal-mix solutions with microbial electrosynthesis. Bioelectrochemistry 2024; 158:108724. [PMID: 38714063 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2024.108724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Microbial conversion of CO2 to multi-carbon compounds such as acetate and butyrate is a promising valorisation technique. For those reactions, the electrochemical supply of hydrogen to the biocatalyst is a viable approach. Earlier we have shown that trace metals from microbial growth media spontaneously form in situ electro-catalysts for hydrogen evolution. Here, we show biocompatibility with the successful integration of such metal mix-based HER catalyst for immediate start-up of microbial acetogenesis (CO2 to acetate). Also, n-butyrate formation started fast (after twenty days). Hydrogen was always produced in excess, although productivity decreased over the 36 to 50 days, possibly due to metal leaching from the cathode. The HER catalyst boosted microbial productivity in a two-step microbial community bioprocess: acetogenesis by a BRH-c20a strain and acetate elongation to n-butyrate by Clostridium sensu stricto 12 (related) species. These findings provide new routes to integrate electro-catalysts and micro-organisms showing respectively bio and electrochemical compatibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne M de Smit
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands; Biobased Chemistry and Technology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas D van Mameren
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Koen van Zwet
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - H Pieter J van Veelen
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - M Cristina Gagliano
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - David P B T B Strik
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Johannes H Bitter
- Biobased Chemistry and Technology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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2
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Bian B, Yu N, Akbari A, Shi L, Zhou X, Xie C, Saikaly PE, Logan BE. Using a non-precious metal catalyst for long-term enhancement of methane production in a zero-gap microbial electrosynthesis cell. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 259:121815. [PMID: 38820732 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) cells exploit the ability of microbes to convert CO2 into valuable chemical products such as methane and acetate, but high rates of chemical production may need to be mediated by hydrogen and thus require a catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). To avoid the usage of precious metal catalysts and examine the impact of the catalyst on the rate of methane generation by microbes on the electrode, we used a carbon felt cathode coated with NiMo/C and compared performance to a bare carbon felt or a Pt/C-deposited cathode. A zero-gap configuration containing a cation exchange membrane was developed to produce a low internal resistance, limit pH changes, and enhance direct transport of H2 to microorganisms on the biocathode. At a fixed cathode potential of -1 V vs Ag/AgCl, the NiMo/C biocathode enabled a current density of 23 ± 4 A/m2 and a high methane production rate of 4.7 ± 1.0 L/L-d. This performance was comparable to that using a precious metal catalyst (Pt/C, 23 ± 6 A/m2, 5.4 ± 2.8 L/L-d), and 3-5 times higher than plain carbon cathodes (8 ± 3 A/m2, 1.0 ± 0.4 L/L-d). The NiMo/C biocathode was operated for over 120 days without observable decay or severe cathode catalyst leaching, reaching an average columbic efficiency of 53 ± 9 % based on methane production under steady state conditions. Analysis of microbial community on the biocathode revealed the dominance of the hydrogenotrophic genus Methanobacterium (∼40 %), with no significant difference found for biocathodes with different materials. These results demonstrated that HER catalysts improved rates of methane generation through facilitating hydrogen gas evolution to an attached biofilm, and that the long-term enhancement of methane production in MES was feasible using a non-precious metal catalyst and a zero-gap cell design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Bian
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Najiaowa Yu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Amir Akbari
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Le Shi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Xuechen Zhou
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Chenghan Xie
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Pascal E Saikaly
- Environmental Science and Engineering Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; Water Desalination and Reuse Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bruce E Logan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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3
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Yates MD, Mickol RL, Vignola A, Baldwin JW, Glaven SM, Tender LM. Performance of a combined electrotrophic and electrogenic biofilm operated under long-term, continuous cycling. Biotechnol Lett 2024; 46:213-221. [PMID: 38300444 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-023-03450-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Evaluate electrochemically active biofilms as high energy density rechargeable microbial batteries toward providing persistent power in applications where traditional battery technology is limiting (, remote monitoring applications). RESULTS Here we demonstrated that an electrochemically active biofilm was able to store and release electrical charge for alternating charge/discharge cycles of up to 24 h periodicity (50% duty cycle) with no significant decrease in average current density (0.16 ± 0.04 A/m2) for over 600 days. However, operation at 24 h periodicity for > 50 days resulted in a sharp decrease in the current to nearly zero. This current crash was recoverable by decreasing the periodicity. Overall, the coulombic efficiency remained near unity within experimental error (102 ± 3%) for all of the tested cycling periods. Electrochemical characterization here suggests that electron transfer occurs through multiple routes, likely a mixture of direct and mediated mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that bidirectional electrogenic/electrotrophic biofilms are capable of efficient charge storage/release over a wide range of cycling frequency and may eventually enable development of sustainable, high energy density rechargeable batteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Yates
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, 20375, USA.
| | - Rebecca L Mickol
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, 20375, USA
| | - Amelia Vignola
- Acoustics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, 20375, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Baldwin
- Acoustics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, 20375, USA
| | - Sarah M Glaven
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, 20375, USA
| | - Leonard M Tender
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, 20375, USA
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4
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Sandfeld T, Grøn LV, Munoz L, Meyer RL, Koren K, Philips J. Considerations on the use of microsensors to profile dissolved H2 concentrations in microbial electrochemical reactors. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0293734. [PMID: 38241241 PMCID: PMC10798470 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Measuring the distribution and dynamics of H2 in microbial electrochemical reactors is valuable to gain insights into the processes behind novel bioelectrochemical technologies, such as microbial electrosynthesis. Here, a microsensor method to measure and profile dissolved H2 concentrations in standard H-cell reactors is described. Graphite cathodes were oriented horizontally to enable the use of a motorized microprofiling system and a stereomicroscope was used to place the H2 microsensor precisely on the cathode surface. Profiling was performed towards the gas-liquid interface, while preserving the electric connections and flushing the headspace (to maintain anoxic conditions) and under strict temperature control (to overcome the temperature sensitivity of the microsensors). This method was tested by profiling six reactors, with and without inoculation of the acetogen Sporomusa ovata, at three different time points. H2 accumulated over time in the abiotic controls, while S. ovata maintained low H2 concentrations throughout the liquid phase (< 4 μM) during the whole experimental period. These results demonstrate that this setup generated insightful H2 profiles. However, various limitations of this microsensor method were identified, as headspace flushing lowered the dissolved H2 concentrations over time. Moreover, microsensors can likely not accurately measure H2 in the immediate vicinity of the solid cathode, because the solids cathode surface obstructs H2 diffusion into the microsensor. Finally, the reactors had to be discarded after microsensor profiling. Interested users should bear these considerations in mind when applying microsensors to characterize microbial electrochemical reactors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Louise Vinther Grøn
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Laura Munoz
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Rikke Louise Meyer
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Klaus Koren
- Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jo Philips
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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5
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Llorente M, Tejedor‐Sanz S, Berná A, Manchón C, Esteve‐Núñez A. Novel electrochemical strategies for the microbial conversion of CO 2 into biomass and volatile fatty acids using a fluid-like bed electrode in a three-phase reactor. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14383. [PMID: 38231155 PMCID: PMC10832540 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) constitutes a bioelectrochemical process where bacteria uptake electrons extracellularly from a polarized electrode to incorporate them into their anabolic metabolism. However, the efficiency of current MES reactor designs can be lower than expected due to limitations regarding electron transfer and mass transport. One of the most promising bioreactor configurations to overcome these bottlenecks is the Microbial Electrochemical Fluidized Bed Reactor (ME-FBR). In this study, microbial CO2 fixation is investigated for the first time in a ME-FBR operated as a 3-phase reactor (solid-liquid-gas). An electroconductive carbon bed, acting as a working electrode, was fluidized with gas and polarized at different potentials (-0.6, -0.8 and -1 V vs. Ag/AgCl) so it could act as an electron donor (biocathode). Under these potentials, CO2 fixation and electron transfer were evaluated. Autotrophic electroactive microorganisms from anaerobic wastewater were enriched in a ME-FBR in the presence of 2-bromoethanosulfonic acid (BES) to inhibit the growth of methanogens. Cyclic voltammetry analysis revealed interaction between the microorganisms and the cathode. Furthermore, volatile fatty acids like propionate, formate and acetate were detected in the culture supernatant. Acetate production had a maximum rate of ca. 1 g L-1 day-1 . Planktonic cell biomass was produced under continuous culture at values as high as ca. 0.7 g L-1 dry weight. Overall, this study demonstrates the feasibility of employing a fluidized electrode with gaseous substrates and electricity as the energy source for generating biomass and carboxylic acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Llorente
- Department of Chemical EngineeringUniversidad de AlcaláAlcalá de HenaresMadridSpain
| | - Sara Tejedor‐Sanz
- Department of Chemical EngineeringUniversidad de AlcaláAlcalá de HenaresMadridSpain
| | | | - Carlos Manchón
- Department of Chemical EngineeringUniversidad de AlcaláAlcalá de HenaresMadridSpain
| | - Abraham Esteve‐Núñez
- Department of Chemical EngineeringUniversidad de AlcaláAlcalá de HenaresMadridSpain
- IMDEA WATERAlcalá de HenaresMadridSpain
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6
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Romans-Casas M, Feliu-Paradeda L, Tedesco M, Hamelers HV, Bañeras L, Balaguer MD, Puig S, Dessì P. Selective butyric acid production from CO 2 and its upgrade to butanol in microbial electrosynthesis cells. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 17:100303. [PMID: 37635954 PMCID: PMC10457423 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2023.100303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a promising carbon utilization technology, but the low-value products (i.e., acetate or methane) and the high electric power demand hinder its industrial adoption. In this study, electrically efficient MES cells with a low ohmic resistance of 15.7 mΩ m2 were operated galvanostatically in fed-batch mode, alternating periods of high CO2 and H2 availability. This promoted acetic acid and ethanol production, ultimately triggering selective (78% on a carbon basis) butyric acid production via chain elongation. An average production rate of 14.5 g m-2 d-1 was obtained at an applied current of 1.0 or 1.5 mA cm-2, being Megasphaera sp. the key chain elongating player. Inoculating a second cell with the catholyte containing the enriched community resulted in butyric acid production at the same rate as the previous cell, but the lag phase was reduced by 82%. Furthermore, interrupting the CO2 feeding and setting a constant pH2 of 1.7-1.8 atm in the cathode compartment triggered solventogenic butanol production at a pH below 4.8. The efficient cell design resulted in average cell voltages of 2.6-2.8 V and a remarkably low electric energy requirement of 34.6 kWhel kg-1 of butyric acid produced, despite coulombic efficiencies being restricted to 45% due to the cross-over of O2 and H2 through the membrane. In conclusion, this study revealed the optimal operating conditions to achieve energy-efficient butyric acid production from CO2 and suggested a strategy to further upgrade it to valuable butanol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meritxell Romans-Casas
- LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona. Campus Montilivi, Carrer Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, E-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Laura Feliu-Paradeda
- Molecular Microbial Ecology Group, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Maria Aurèlia Capmany 40, 17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Michele Tedesco
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911, MA, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
| | - Hubertus V.M. Hamelers
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911, MA, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
| | - Lluis Bañeras
- Molecular Microbial Ecology Group, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Maria Aurèlia Capmany 40, 17003, Girona, Spain
| | - M. Dolors Balaguer
- LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona. Campus Montilivi, Carrer Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, E-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Sebastià Puig
- LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona. Campus Montilivi, Carrer Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, E-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Paolo Dessì
- LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona. Campus Montilivi, Carrer Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, E-17003, Girona, Spain
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7
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Boucher DG, Carroll E, Nguyen ZA, Jadhav RG, Simoska O, Beaver K, Minteer SD. Bioelectrocatalytic Synthesis: Concepts and Applications. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202307780. [PMID: 37428529 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202307780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Bioelectrocatalytic synthesis is the conversion of electrical energy into value-added products using biocatalysts. These methods merge the specificity and selectivity of biocatalysis and energy-related electrocatalysis to address challenges in the sustainable synthesis of pharmaceuticals, commodity chemicals, fuels, feedstocks and fertilizers. However, the specialized experimental setups and domain knowledge for bioelectrocatalysis pose a significant barrier to adoption. This review introduces key concepts of bioelectrosynthetic systems. We provide a tutorial on the methods of biocatalyst utilization, the setup of bioelectrosynthetic cells, and the analytical methods for assessing bioelectrocatalysts. Key applications of bioelectrosynthesis in ammonia production and small-molecule synthesis are outlined for both enzymatic and microbial systems. This review serves as a necessary introduction and resource for the non-specialist interested in bioelectrosynthetic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan G Boucher
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Emily Carroll
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Zachary A Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Rohit G Jadhav
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Olja Simoska
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Kevin Beaver
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Shelley D Minteer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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8
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Boto ST, Bardl B, Harnisch F, Rosenbaum MA. Microbial electrosynthesis with Clostridium ljungdahlii benefits from hydrogen electron mediation and permits a greater variety of products. GREEN CHEMISTRY : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL AND GREEN CHEMISTRY RESOURCE : GC 2023; 25:4375-4386. [PMID: 37288452 PMCID: PMC10243432 DOI: 10.1039/d3gc00471f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a very promising technology addressing the challenge of carbon dioxide recycling into organic compounds, which might serve as building blocks for the (bio)chemical industry. However, poor process control and understanding of fundamental aspects such as the microbial extracellular electron transfer (EET) currently limit further developments. In the model acetogen Clostridium ljungdahlii, both direct and indirect electron consumption via hydrogen have been proposed. However, without clarification neither targeted development of the microbial catalyst nor process engineering of MES are possible. In this study, cathodic hydrogen is demonstrated to be the dominating electron source for C. ljungdahlii at electroautotrophic MES allowing for superior growth and biosynthesis, compared to previously reported MES using pure cultures. Hydrogen availability distinctly controlled an either planktonic- or biofilm-dominated lifestyle of C. ljungdahlii. The most robust operation yielded higher planktonic cell densities in a hydrogen mediated process, which demonstrated the uncoupling of growth and biofilm formation. This coincided with an increase of metabolic activity, acetate titers, and production rates (up to 6.06 g L-1 at 0.11 g L-1 d-1). For the first time, MES using C. ljungdahlii was also revealed to deliver other products than acetate in significant amounts: here up to 0.39 g L-1 glycine or 0.14 g L-1 ethanolamine. Hence, a deeper comprehension of the electrophysiology of C. ljungdahlii was shown to be key for designing and improving bioprocess strategies in MES research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago T Boto
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI) Jena Germany
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena Germany
| | - Bettina Bardl
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI) Jena Germany
| | - Falk Harnisch
- UFZ - Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research GmbH, Department of Environmental Microbiology Permoserstraße 15 04318 Leipzig Germany
| | - Miriam A Rosenbaum
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI) Jena Germany
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena Germany
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9
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Thulluru LP, Ghangrekar MM, Chowdhury S. Progress and perspectives on microbial electrosynthesis for valorisation of CO 2 into value-added products. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 332:117323. [PMID: 36716542 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a neoteric technology that facilitates biocatalysed synthesis of organic compounds with the aid of homoacetogenic bacteria, while feeding CO2 as an inorganic carbon source. Operating MES with surplus renewable electricity further enhances the sustainability of this innovative bioelectrochemical system (BES). However, several lacunae exist in the domain knowledge, stunting the widespread application of MES. Despite significant progress in this area over the past decade, the product yield efficiency is not on par with other contemporary technologies. This bottleneck can be overcome by adopting a holistic approach, i.e., applying innovative and integrated solutions to ensure a robust MES operation. Further, the widespread deployment of MES exclusively relies on its ability to mature a sessile biofilm over a biocompatible electrode, while offering minimal charge transfer resistance. Additionally, operating MES preferably at H2-generating reduction potential and valorising industrial off-gas as carbon substrate is crucial to accomplish economic sustainability. In light of the aforementioned, this review collates the latest progress in the design and development of MES-centred systems for valorisation of CO2 into value-added products. Specifically, it highlights the significance of inoculum pre-treatment for promoting biocatalytic activity and biofilm growth on the cathodic surface. In addition, it summarizes the diverse materials that are commonly used as electrodes in MES, with an emphasis on the importance of inexpensive, robust, and biocompatible electrode materials for the practical application of MES technology. Further, the review presents insights into media conditions, operational factors, and reactor configurations that affect the overall performance of MES process. Finally, the product range of MES, downstream processing requirements, and integration of MES with other environmental remediation technologies are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Pathi Thulluru
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Makarand M Ghangrekar
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Shamik Chowdhury
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India.
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10
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Al-Mamun A, Ahmed W, Jafary T, Nayak JK, Al-Nuaimi A, Sana A. Recent advances in microbial electrosynthesis system: Metabolic investigation and process optimization. Biochem Eng J 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2023.108928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
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11
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Luan L, Ji X, Guo B, Cai J, Dong W, Huang Y, Zhang S. Bioelectrocatalysis for CO 2 reduction: recent advances and challenges to develop a sustainable system for CO 2 utilization. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 63:108098. [PMID: 36649797 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Activation and turning CO2 into value added products is a promising orientation to address environmental issues caused by CO2 emission. Currently, electrocatalysis has a potent well-established role for CO2 reduction with fast electron transfer rate; but it is challenged by the poor selectivity and low faradic efficiency. On the other side, biocatalysis, including enzymes and microbes, has been also employed for CO2 conversion to target Cn products with remarkably high selectivity; however, low solubility of CO2 in the liquid reaction phase seriously affects the catalytic efficiency. Therefore, a new synergistic role in bioelectrocatalysis for CO2 reduction is emerging thanks to its outstanding selectivity, high faradic efficiency, and desirable valuable Cn products under mild condition that are surveyed in this review. Herein, we comprehensively discuss the results already obtained for the integration craft of enzymatic-electrocatalysis and microbial-electrocatalysis technologies. In addition, the intrinsic nature of the combination is highly dependent on the electron transfer. Thus, both direct electron transfer and mediated electron transfer routes are modeled and concluded. We also explore the biocompatibility and synergistic effects of electrode materials, which emerge in combination with tuned enzymes and microbes to improve catalytic performance. The system by integrating solar energy driven photo-electrochemical technics with bio-catalysis is further discussed. We finally highlight the significant findings and perspectives that have provided strong foundations for the remarkable development of green and sustainable bioelectrocatalysis for CO2 reduction, and that offer a blueprint for Cn valuable products originate from CO2 under efficient and mild conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Likun Luan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ionic Liquids Clean Process, CAS Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Complex Systems, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
| | - Xiuling Ji
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ionic Liquids Clean Process, CAS Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Complex Systems, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Boxia Guo
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ionic Liquids Clean Process, CAS Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Complex Systems, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
| | - Jinde Cai
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ionic Liquids Clean Process, CAS Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Complex Systems, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Wanrong Dong
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ionic Liquids Clean Process, CAS Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Complex Systems, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yuhong Huang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ionic Liquids Clean Process, CAS Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Complex Systems, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
| | - Suojiang Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ionic Liquids Clean Process, CAS Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Complex Systems, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
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12
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Liu Z, Xue X, Cai W, Cui K, Patil SA, Guo K. Recent progress on microbial electrosynthesis reactors and strategies to enhance the reactor performance. Biochem Eng J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2022.108745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
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13
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Hengsbach JN, Sabel-Becker B, Ulber R, Holtmann D. Microbial electrosynthesis of methane and acetate—comparison of pure and mixed cultures. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:4427-4443. [PMID: 35763070 PMCID: PMC9259517 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-12031-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Abstract The electrochemical process of microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is used to drive the metabolism of electroactive microorganisms for the production of valuable chemicals and fuels. MES combines the advantages of electrochemistry, engineering, and microbiology and offers alternative production processes based on renewable raw materials and regenerative energies. In addition to the reactor concept and electrode design, the biocatalysts used have a significant influence on the performance of MES. Thus, pure and mixed cultures can be used as biocatalysts. By using mixed cultures, interactions between organisms, such as the direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) or syntrophic interactions, influence the performance in terms of productivity and the product range of MES. This review focuses on the comparison of pure and mixed cultures in microbial electrosynthesis. The performance indicators, such as productivities and coulombic efficiencies (CEs), for both procedural methods are discussed. Typical products in MES are methane and acetate, therefore these processes are the focus of this review. In general, most studies used mixed cultures as biocatalyst, as more advanced performance of mixed cultures has been seen for both products. When comparing pure and mixed cultures in equivalent experimental setups a 3-fold higher methane and a nearly 2-fold higher acetate production rate can be achieved in mixed cultures. However, studies of pure culture MES for methane production have shown some improvement through reactor optimization and operational mode reaching similar performance indicators as mixed culture MES. Overall, the review gives an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of using pure or mixed cultures in MES. Key points • Undefined mixed cultures dominate as inoculums for the MES of methane and acetate, which comprise a high potential of improvement • Under similar conditions, mixed cultures outperform pure cultures in MES • Understanding the role of single species in mixed culture MES is essential for future industrial applications
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Niklas Hengsbach
- Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Institute of Bioprocess Engineering, Technical University Kaiserslautern, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Björn Sabel-Becker
- Department of Life Science Engineering, Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen, 35390, Giessen, Germany
| | - Roland Ulber
- Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Institute of Bioprocess Engineering, Technical University Kaiserslautern, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany.
| | - Dirk Holtmann
- Department of Life Science Engineering, Institute of Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology, Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen, 35390, Giessen, Germany
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14
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Madjarov J, Soares R, Paquete CM, Louro RO. Sporomusa ovata as Catalyst for Bioelectrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction: A Review Across Disciplines From Microbiology to Process Engineering. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:913311. [PMID: 35801113 PMCID: PMC9253864 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.913311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sporomusa ovata is a bacterium that can accept electrons from cathodes to drive microbial electrosynthesis (MES) of acetate from carbon dioxide. It is the biocatalyst with the highest acetate production rate described. Here we review the research on S. ovata across different disciplines, including microbiology, biochemistry, engineering, and materials science, to summarize and assess the state-of-the-art. The improvement of the biocatalytic capacity of S. ovata in the last 10 years, using different optimization strategies is described and discussed. In addition, we propose possible electron uptake routes derived from genetic and experimental data described in the literature and point out the possibilities to understand and improve the performance of S. ovata through genetic engineering. Finally, we identify current knowledge gaps guiding further research efforts to explore this promising organism for the MES field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Madjarov
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Soares
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Catarina M. Paquete
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ricardo O. Louro
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
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15
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Lovley DR. Electrotrophy: Other microbial species, iron, and electrodes as electron donors for microbial respirations. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 345:126553. [PMID: 34906705 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Electrotrophy, the growth of microbes on extracellular electron donors, drives important biogeochemical cycles and has practical applications. Studies of Fe(II)-based electrotrophy have provided foundational cytochrome-based mechanistic models for electron transport into cells. Direct electron uptake from other microbial species, Fe(0), or cathodes is of intense interest due to its potential roles in the production and anaerobic oxidation of methane, corrosion, and bioelectrochemical technologies. Other cells or Fe(0) can serve as the sole electron donor supporting the growth of several Geobacter and methanogen strains that are unable to use H2 as an electron donor, providing strong evidence for electrotrophy. Additional evidence for electrotrophy in Geobacter strains and Methanosarcina acetivorans is a requirement for outer-surface c-type cytochromes. However, in most instances claims for electrotrophy in anaerobes are based on indirect inference and the possibility that H2 is actually the electron donor supporting growth has not been rigorously excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek R Lovley
- Electrobiomaterials Institute, Key Laboratory for Anisotropy and Texture of Materials (Ministry of Education), Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China; Department of Microbiology and Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS), University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
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16
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Chen LF, Yu H, Zhang J, Qin HY. A short review of graphene in the microbial electrosynthesis of biochemicals from carbon dioxide. RSC Adv 2022; 12:22770-22782. [PMID: 36105988 PMCID: PMC9376761 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra02038f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a potential energy transformation technology for the reduction of the greenhouse gas carbon oxide (CO2) into commercial chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. F. Chen
- New Energy Materials Research Center, College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - H. Yu
- New Energy Materials Research Center, College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - J. Zhang
- New Energy Materials Research Center, College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - H. Y. Qin
- New Energy Materials Research Center, College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
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17
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Chatzipanagiotou KR, Jourdin L, Bitter H, Strik D. Concentration-dependent effects of nickel doping on activated carbon biocathodes. Catal Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d1cy02151f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In microbial electrosynthesis (MES), microorganisms grow on a cathode electrode as biofilm, or in the catholyte as planktonic biomass, and utilize CO2 for their growth and metabolism. Modification of the...
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18
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Valorisation of CO2 into Value-Added Products via Microbial Electrosynthesis (MES) and Electro-Fermentation Technology. FERMENTATION-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/fermentation7040291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Microbial electrocatalysis reckons on microbes as catalysts for reactions occurring at electrodes. Microbial fuel cells and microbial electrolysis cells are well-known in this context; both prefer the oxidation of organic and inorganic matter for producing electricity. Notably, the synthesis of high energy-density chemicals (fuels) or their precursors by microorganisms using bio-cathode to yield electrical energy is called Microbial Electrosynthesis (MES), giving an exceptionally appealing novel way for producing beneficial products from electricity and wastewater. This review accentuates the concept, importance and opportunities of MES, as an emerging discipline at the nexus of microbiology and electrochemistry. Production of organic compounds from MES is considered as an effective technique for the generation of various beneficial reduced end-products (like acetate and butyrate) as well as in reducing the load of CO2 from the atmosphere to mitigate the harmful effect of greenhouse gases in global warming. Although MES is still an emerging technology, this method is not thoroughly known. The authors have focused on MES, as it is the next transformative, viable alternative technology to decrease the repercussions of surplus carbon dioxide in the environment along with conserving energy.
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19
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20
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Cabau-Peinado O, Straathof AJJ, Jourdin L. A General Model for Biofilm-Driven Microbial Electrosynthesis of Carboxylates From CO 2. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:669218. [PMID: 34149654 PMCID: PMC8211901 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.669218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Up to now, computational modeling of microbial electrosynthesis (MES) has been underexplored, but is necessary to achieve breakthrough understanding of the process-limiting steps. Here, a general framework for modeling microbial kinetics in a MES reactor is presented. A thermodynamic approach is used to link microbial metabolism to the electrochemical reduction of an intracellular mediator, allowing to predict cellular growth and current consumption. The model accounts for CO2 reduction to acetate, and further elongation to n-butyrate and n-caproate. Simulation results were compared with experimental data obtained from different sources and proved the model is able to successfully describe microbial kinetics (growth, chain elongation, and product inhibition) and reactor performance (current density, organics titer). The capacity of the model to simulate different system configurations is also shown. Model results suggest CO2 dissolved concentration might be limiting existing MES systems, and highlight the importance of the delivery method utilized to supply it. Simulation results also indicate that for biofilm-driven reactors, continuous mode significantly enhances microbial growth and might allow denser biofilms to be formed and higher current densities to be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oriol Cabau-Peinado
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Adrie J J Straathof
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Ludovic Jourdin
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
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21
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Chatzipanagiotou KR, Soekhoe V, Jourdin L, Buisman CJN, Bitter JH, Strik DPBTB. Catalytic Cooperation between a Copper Oxide Electrocatalyst and a Microbial Community for Microbial Electrosynthesis. Chempluschem 2021; 86:763-777. [PMID: 33973736 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202100119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic metals and microorganisms can be combined for CO2 conversion in microbial electrosynthesis (MES). However, a systematic investigation on the nature of interactions between metals and MES is still lacking. To investigate this nature, we integrated a copper electrocatalyst, converting CO2 to formate, with microorganisms, converting CO2 to acetate. A co-catalytic (i. e. metabolic) relationship was evident, as up to 140 mg L-1 of formate was produced solely by copper oxide, while formate was also evidently produced by copper and consumed by microorganisms producing acetate. Due to non-metabolic interactions, current density decreased by over 4 times, though acetate yield increased by 3.3 times. Despite the antimicrobial role of copper, biofilm formation was possible on a pure copper surface. Overall, we show for the first time that a CO2 -reducing copper electrocatalyst can be combined with MES under biological conditions, resulting in metabolic and non-metabolic interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantina-Roxani Chatzipanagiotou
- Biobased Chemistry and Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Virangni Soekhoe
- Biobased Chemistry and Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ludovic Jourdin
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Currently at Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Cees J N Buisman
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - J Harry Bitter
- Biobased Chemistry and Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - David P B T B Strik
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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22
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Dykstra J, Heijne AT, Puig S, Biesheuvel P. Theory of transport and recovery in microbial electrosynthesis of acetate from CO2. Electrochim Acta 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2021.138029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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23
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Fontmorin JM, Izadi P, Li D, Lim SS, Farooq S, Bilal SS, Cheng S, Yu EH. Gas diffusion electrodes modified with binary doped polyaniline for enhanced CO2 conversion during microbial electrosynthesis. Electrochim Acta 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2021.137853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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24
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Rojas MDPA, Zaiat M, González ER, De Wever H, Pant D. Enhancing the gas–liquid mass transfer during microbial electrosynthesis by the variation of CO2 flow rate. Process Biochem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2020.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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25
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Das S, Chakraborty I, Das S, Ghangrekar M. Application of novel modular reactor for microbial electrosynthesis employing imposed potential with concomitant separation of acetic acid. SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES AND ASSESSMENTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seta.2020.100902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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26
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Das S, Das S, Ghangrekar M. Application of TiO2 and Rh as cathode catalyst to boost the microbial electrosynthesis of organic compounds through CO2 sequestration. Process Biochem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2020.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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27
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Panich J, Fong B, Singer SW. Metabolic Engineering of Cupriavidus necator H16 for Sustainable Biofuels from CO 2. Trends Biotechnol 2021; 39:412-424. [PMID: 33518389 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Decelerating global warming is one of the predominant challenges of our time and will require conversion of CO2 to usable products and commodity chemicals. Of particular interest is the production of fuels, because the transportation sector is a major source of CO2 emissions. Here, we review recent technological advances in metabolic engineering of the hydrogen-oxidizing bacterium Cupriavidus necator H16, a chemolithotroph that naturally consumes CO2 to generate biomass. We discuss recent successes in biofuel production using this organism, and the implementation of electrolysis/artificial photosynthesis approaches that enable growth of C. necator using renewable electricity and CO2. Last, we discuss prospects of improving the nonoptimal growth of C. necator in ambient concentrations of CO2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Panich
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
| | - Bonnie Fong
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Steven W Singer
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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28
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Das S, Ghangrekar MM. Performance comparison between batch and continuous mode of operation of microbial electrosynthesis for the production of organic chemicals. J APPL ELECTROCHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10800-020-01524-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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29
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Bian B, Xu J, Katuri KP, Saikaly PE. Resistance assessment of microbial electrosynthesis for biochemical production to changes in delivery methods and CO 2 flow rates. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2021; 319:124177. [PMID: 33035863 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.124177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) for CO2 valorization could be influenced by fluctuations in CO2 mass transfer and flow rates. In this study, we developed an efficient method for CO2 delivery to cathodic biofilm by directly sparging CO2 through the pores of ceramic hollow fiber wrapped with Ni-foam/carbon nanotube electrode, and obtained 45% and 77% higher acetate and methane production, respectively. This was followed by the MES stability test in response to fluctuations in CO2 flow rates varying from 0.3 ml/min to 10 ml/min. The biochemical production exhibited an increasing trend with CO2 flow rates, achieving higher acetate (47.0 ± 18.4 mmol/m2/day) and methane (240.0 ± 32.2 mmol/m2/day) generation at 10 ml/min with over 90% coulombic efficiency. The biofilm and suspended biomass, however, showed high resistance to CO2 flow fluctuations with Methanobacterium and Acetobacterium accounting for 80% of the total microbial community, which suggests the robustness of MES for onsite carbon conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Bian
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jiajie Xu
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Krishna P Katuri
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pascal E Saikaly
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
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30
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Extracellular Electrons Powered Microbial CO2 Upgrading: Microbial Electrosynthesis and Artificial Photosynthesis. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2021; 180:243-271. [DOI: 10.1007/10_2021_179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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31
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Jourdin L, Burdyny T. Microbial Electrosynthesis: Where Do We Go from Here? Trends Biotechnol 2020; 39:359-369. [PMID: 33279279 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The valorization of CO2 to valuable products via microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a technology transcending the disciplines of microbiology, (electro)chemistry, and engineering, bringing opportunities and challenges. As the field looks to the future, further emphasis is expected to be placed on engineering efficient reactors for biocatalysts, to thrive and overcome factors which may be limiting performance. Meanwhile, ample opportunities exist to take the lessons learned in traditional and adjacent electrochemical fields to shortcut learning curves. As the technology transitions into the next decade, research into robust and adaptable biocatalysts will then be necessary as reactors shape into larger and more efficient configurations, as well as presenting more extreme temperature, salinity, and pressure conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovic Jourdin
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Thomas Burdyny
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
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32
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Dessì P, Sánchez C, Mills S, Cocco FG, Isipato M, Ijaz UZ, Collins G, Lens PNL. Carboxylic acids production and electrosynthetic microbial community evolution under different CO 2 feeding regimens. Bioelectrochemistry 2020; 137:107686. [PMID: 33142136 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2020.107686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a potential technology for CO2 recycling, but insufficient information is available on the microbial interactions underpinning electrochemically-assisted reactions. In this study, a MES reactor was operated for 225 days alternately with bicarbonate or CO2 as carbon source, under batch or continuous feeding regimens, to evaluate the response of the microbial communities, and their productivity, to dynamic operating conditions. A stable acetic acid production rate of 9.68 g m-2 d-1, and coulombic efficiency up to 40%, was achieved with continuous CO2 sparging, higher than the rates obtained with bicarbonate (0.94 g m-2 d-1) and CO2 under fed-batch conditions (2.54 g m-2 d-1). However, the highest butyric acid production rate (0.39 g m-2 d-1) was achieved with intermittent CO2 sparging. The microbial community analyses focused on differential amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), allowing detection of ASVs significantly different across consecutive samples. This analysis, combined with co-occurence network analysis, and cyclic voltammetry, indicated that hydrogen-mediated acetogenesis was carried out by Clostridium, Eubacterium and Acetobacterium, whereas Oscillibacter and Caproiciproducens were involved in butyric acid production. The cathodic community was spatially inhomogeneous, with potential electrotrophs, such as Sulfurospirillum and Desulfovibrio, most prevalent near the current collector. The abundance of Sulfurospirillum positively correlated with that of Acetobacterium, supporting the syntrophic metabolism of both organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Dessì
- Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland.
| | - Carlos Sánchez
- Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Simon Mills
- Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Francesco Giuseppe Cocco
- Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Piazza d'Armi, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marco Isipato
- Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Piazza d'Armi, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Umer Z Ijaz
- Infrastructure and Environment Research Division, School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Oakfield Avenue, Glasgow G12 8LT, United Kingdom
| | - Gavin Collins
- Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Piet N L Lens
- Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
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33
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Izadi P, Fontmorin JM, Godain A, Yu EH, Head IM. Parameters influencing the development of highly conductive and efficient biofilm during microbial electrosynthesis: the importance of applied potential and inorganic carbon source. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2020; 6:40. [PMID: 33056998 PMCID: PMC7560852 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-020-00151-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cathode-driven applications of bio-electrochemical systems (BESs) have the potential to transform CO2 into value-added chemicals using microorganisms. However, their commercialisation is limited as biocathodes in BESs are characterised by slow start-up and low efficiency. Understanding biosynthesis pathways, electron transfer mechanisms and the effect of operational variables on microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is of fundamental importance to advance these applications of a system that has the capacity to convert CO2 to organics and is potentially sustainable. In this work, we demonstrate that cathodic potential and inorganic carbon source are keys for the development of a dense and conductive biofilm that ensures high efficiency in the overall system. Applying the cathodic potential of -1.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl and providing only gaseous CO2 in our system, a dense biofilm dominated by Acetobacterium (ca. 50% of biofilm) was formed. The superior biofilm density was significantly correlated with a higher production yield of organic chemicals, particularly acetate. Together, a significant decrease in the H2 evolution overpotential (by 200 mV) and abundant nifH genes within the biofilm were observed. This can only be mechanistically explained if intracellular hydrogen production with direct electron uptake from the cathode via nitrogenase within bacterial cells is occurring in addition to the commonly observed extracellular H2 production. Indeed, the enzymatic activity within the biofilm accelerated the electron transfer. This was evidenced by an increase in the coulombic efficiency (ca. 69%) and a 10-fold decrease in the charge transfer resistance. This is the first report of such a significant decrease in the charge resistance via the development of a highly conductive biofilm during MES. The results highlight the fundamental importance of maintaining a highly active autotrophic Acetobacterium population through feeding CO2 in gaseous form, which its dominance in the biocathode leads to a higher efficiency of the system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paniz Izadi
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Alexiane Godain
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Eileen H Yu
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK.
| | - Ian M Head
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Review—Microbial Electrosynthesis: A Way Towards The Production of Electro-Commodities Through Carbon Sequestration with Microbes as Biocatalysts. JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY 2020. [DOI: 10.1149/1945-7111/abb836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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35
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Bian B, Bajracharya S, Xu J, Pant D, Saikaly PE. Microbial electrosynthesis from CO 2: Challenges, opportunities and perspectives in the context of circular bioeconomy. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2020; 302:122863. [PMID: 32019708 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.122863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Recycling CO2 into organic products through microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is attractive from the perspective of circular bioeconomy. However, several challenges need to be addressed before scaling-up MES systems. In this review, recent advances in electrode materials, microbe-catalyzed CO2 reduction and MES energy consumption are discussed in detail. Anode materials are briefly reviewed first, with several strategies proposed to reduce the energy input for electron generation and enhance MES bioeconomy. This was followed by discussions on MES cathode materials and configurations for enhanced chemolithoautotroph growth and CO2 reduction. Various chemolithoautotrophs, effective for CO2 reduction and diverse bioproduct formation, on MES cathode were also discussed. Finally, research efforts on developing cost-effective process for bioproduct extraction from MES are presented. Future perspectives to improve product formation and reduce energy cost are discussed to realize the application of the MES as a chemical production platform in the context of building a circular economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Bian
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955 6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suman Bajracharya
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955 6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jiajie Xu
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955 6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Deepak Pant
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Separation and Conversion Technology, Boeretang 200, Mol 2400, Belgium; Centre for Advanced Process Technology for Urban Resource Recovery (CAPTURE), 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pascal E Saikaly
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955 6900, Saudi Arabia.
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Microbial electrosynthesis from CO2: forever a promise? Curr Opin Biotechnol 2020; 62:48-57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2019.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Flexer V, Jourdin L. Purposely Designed Hierarchical Porous Electrodes for High Rate Microbial Electrosynthesis of Acetate from Carbon Dioxide. Acc Chem Res 2020; 53:311-321. [PMID: 31990521 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.9b00523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Carbon-based products are crucial to our society, but their production from fossil-based carbon is unsustainable. Production pathways based on the reuse of CO2 will achieve ultimate sustainability. Furthermore, the costs of renewable electricity production are decreasing at such a high rate, that electricity is expected to be the main energy carrier from 2040 onward. Electricity-driven novel processes that convert CO2 into chemicals need to be further developed. Microbial electrosynthesis is a biocathode-driven process in which electroactive microorganisms derive electrons from solid-state electrodes to catalyze the reduction of CO2 or organics and generate valuable extracellular multicarbon reduced products. Microorganisms can be tuned to high-rate and selective product formation. Optimization and upscaling of microbial electrosynthesis to practical, real life applications is dependent upon performance improvement while maintaining low cost. Extensive biofilm development, enhanced electron transfer rate from solid-state electrodes to microorganisms and increased chemical production rate require optimized microbial consortia, efficient reactor designs, and improved cathode materials. This Account is about the development of different electrode materials purposely designed for improved microbial electrosynthesis: NanoWeb-RVC and EPD-3D. Both types of electrodes are biocompatible, highly conductive three-dimensional hierarchical porous structures. Both chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and electrophoretic deposition were used to grow homogeneous and uniform carbon nanotube layers on the honeycomb structure of reticulated vitreous carbon. The high surface area to volume ratio of these electrodes maximizes the available surface area for biofilm development, i.e., enabling an increased catalyst loading. Simultaneously, the nanostructure makes it possible for a continuous electroactive biofilm to be formed, with increased electron transfer rate and high Coulombic efficiencies. Fully autotrophic biofilms from mixed cultures developed on both types of electrodes rely on CO2 as the sole carbon source and the solid-state electrode as the unique energy supply. We present first the synthesis and characteristics of the bare electrodes. We then report the outstanding performance indicators of these novel biocathodes: current densities up to -200 A m-2 and acetate production rates up to 1330 g m-2 day-1, with electron and CO2 recoveries into acetate being very close to 100% for mature biofilms. The performance indicators are still among the highest reported by either purposely designed or commercially available biocathodes. Finally, we made use of the titration and off-gas analysis sensor (TOGA) to elucidate the electron transfer mechanism in these efficient biocathodes. Planktonic cells in the catholyte were found irrelevant for acetate production. We identified the electron transfer to be mediated by biologically induced H2. H2 is not detected in the headspace of the reactors, unless CO2 feeding is interrupted or the cathodes sterilized. Thus, the biofilm is extremely efficient in consuming the generated H2. Finally, we successfully demonstrated the use of a synthetic biogas mixture as a CO2 source. We thus proved the potential of microbial electrosynthesis for the simultaneous upgrading of biogas, while fixating CO2 via the production of acetate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Flexer
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Materiales Avanzados y Almacenamiento de Energía de Jujuy-CIDMEJu (CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Jujuy), Av. Martijena S/N, Palpalá 4612, Argentina
| | - Ludovic Jourdin
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
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Chu N, Liang Q, Jiang Y, Zeng RJ. Microbial electrochemical platform for the production of renewable fuels and chemicals. Biosens Bioelectron 2020; 150:111922. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2019.111922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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LaBelle EV, Marshall CW, May HD. Microbiome for the Electrosynthesis of Chemicals from Carbon Dioxide. Acc Chem Res 2020; 53:62-71. [PMID: 31809012 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.9b00522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The price for renewable electricity is rapidly decreasing, and the availability of such energy is expected to increase in the coming years. This is a welcomed outcome considering that mitigation of climate disruption due to the use of fossil carbon is reaching a critical stage. However, the economy will remain dependent on carbon-based chemicals and the problem of electricity storage persists. Therefore, the development of electrosynthetic processes that convert electricity and CO2 into chemicals and energy dense fuels, perhaps even food, would be desirable. Electrochemistry has been applied to the manufacture of many valuable products and at a large industrial scale, but it is difficult to produce multicarbon chemicals from CO2 by chemistry alone. Being that the biological world possesses expertise at the construction of C-C bonds, it is being examined in conjunction with electrochemistry to discover new ways of synthesizing chemicals from electricity and CO2. One approach is microbial electrosynthesis. This Account describes the development of a microbial electrosynthesis system by the authors. A biocathode consisting of a carbon-based electrode and a microbial community produced short chain fatty acids, primarily acetate. The device works by electrolysis of water, but microbes facilitate electron transfer from the cathode while reducing CO2 by the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway possessed by an Acetobacterium sp. While this acetogenic microorganism dominates the microbiome growing on the cathode surface, 13 total species of microbes overall were ecologically selected on the cathode and genomes for each have been assembled. The combined species may contribute to the stability of the microbiome, a common feature of naturally selected microbial communities. The microbial electrosynthesis system was demonstrated to operate continuously at a cathode for more than 2 years and could also be used with intermittent power, thus demonstrating the stability of the microbiome living at the cathode. In addition to the description of reactor design and startup procedures, the possible mechanisms of electron transfer are described in this Account. While mysteries remain to be solved, much evidence indicates that the microbiome may facilitate electron transfer by supplying catalyst(s) external to the bacterial cells and onto the cathode surface. This may be in the form of a hydrogen-producing catalyst that enhances hydrogen generation by an inert carbon-based electrode. Through the enrichment of the electrosynthetic microbiome along with several modifications in reactor design and operation, the productivity and efficiency were improved. In addition to the intrinsic value of the current products, coupling the process with a secondary stage might be used to produce more valuable products from the acetic acid stream such as lipids, biocrude oil, or higher value food supplements. Alternatively, additional work on the mechanism of electron transfer, reactor design/operation, and modification of the microbes through synthetic biology, particularly to enhance carbon efficiency into higher value chemicals, are the needed next steps to advance microbial electrosynthesis so that it may be used to transform renewable electrons and CO2 directly into products and help solve the problem of climate disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward V. LaBelle
- Department of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Christopher W. Marshall
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233, United States
| | - Harold D. May
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Hollings Marine Laboratory, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29412, United States
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Philips J. Extracellular Electron Uptake by Acetogenic Bacteria: Does H 2 Consumption Favor the H 2 Evolution Reaction on a Cathode or Metallic Iron? Front Microbiol 2020; 10:2997. [PMID: 31998274 PMCID: PMC6966493 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Some acetogenic bacteria are capable of using solid electron donors, such as a cathode or metallic iron [Fe(0)]. Acetogens using a cathode as electron donor are of interest for novel applications such as microbial electrosynthesis, while microorganisms using Fe(0) as electron donor cause detrimental microbial induced corrosion. The capacity to use solid electron donors strongly differs between acetogenic strains, which likely relates to their extracellular electron transfer (EET) mechanism. Different EET mechanisms have been proposed for acetogenic bacteria, including a direct mechanism and a H2 dependent indirect mechanism combined with extracellular hydrogenases catalyzing the H2 evolution reaction on the cathode or Fe(0) surface. Interestingly, low H2 partial pressures often prevail during acetogenesis with solid electron donors. Hence, an additional mechanism is here proposed: the maintenance of low H2 partial pressures by microbial H2 consumption, which thermodynamically favors the H2 evolution reaction on the cathode or Fe(0) surface. This work elaborates how the H2 partial pressure affects the H2 evolution onset potential and the H2 evolution rate on a cathode, as well as the free energy change of the anoxic corrosion reaction. In addition, the H2 consumption characteristics, i.e., H2 threshold (thermodynamic limit for H2 consumption) and H2 consumption kinetic parameters, of acetogenic bacteria are reviewed and evidence is discussed for strongly different H2 consumption characteristics. Different acetogenic strains are thus expected to maintain different H2 partial pressures on a cathode or Fe(0) surface, while those that maintain lower H2 partial pressures (lower H2 threshold, higher H2 affinity) more strongly increase the H2 evolution reaction. Consequently, I hypothesize that the different capacities of acetogenic bacteria to use solid electron donors are related to differences in their H2 consumption characteristics. The focus of this work is on acetogenic bacteria, but similar considerations are likely also relevant for other hydrogenotrophic microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo Philips
- Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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41
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Ranaivoarisoa TO, Singh R, Rengasamy K, Guzman MS, Bose A. Towards sustainable bioplastic production using the photoautotrophic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris TIE-1. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 46:1401-1417. [PMID: 30927110 PMCID: PMC6791910 DOI: 10.1007/s10295-019-02165-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial synthesis of polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs) is a potential approach for producing biodegradable plastics. This study assessed the ability of Rhodopseudomonas palustris TIE-1 to produce PHBs under various conditions. We focused on photoautotrophy using a poised electrode (photoelectroautotrophy) or ferrous iron (photoferroautotrophy) as electron donors. Growth conditions were tested with either ammonium chloride or dinitrogen gas as the nitrogen source. Although TIE-1's capacity to produce PHBs varied fairly under different conditions, photoelectroautotrophy and photoferroautotrophy showed the highest PHB electron yield and the highest specific PHB productivity, respectively. Gene expression analysis showed that there was no differential expression in PHB biosynthesis genes. This suggests that the variations in PHB accumulation might be post-transcriptionally regulated. This is the first study to systematically quantify the amount of PHB produced by a microbe via photoelectroautotrophy and photoferroautotrophy. This work could lead to sustainable bioproduction using abundant resources such as light, electricity, iron, and carbon dioxide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahina Onina Ranaivoarisoa
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Rajesh Singh
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Karthikeyan Rengasamy
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Michael S Guzman
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Arpita Bose
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
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Karthikeyan R, Singh R, Bose A. Microbial electron uptake in microbial electrosynthesis: a mini-review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 46:1419-1426. [DOI: 10.1007/s10295-019-02166-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Microbial electron uptake (EU) is the biological capacity of microbes to accept electrons from electroconductive solid materials. EU has been leveraged for sustainable bioproduction strategies via microbial electrosynthesis (MES). MES often involves the reduction of carbon dioxide to multi-carbon molecules, with electrons derived from electrodes in a bioelectrochemical system. EU can be indirect or direct. Indirect EU-based MES uses electron mediators to transfer electrons to microbes. Although an excellent initial strategy, indirect EU requires higher electrical energy. In contrast, the direct supply of cathodic electrons to microbes (direct EU) is more sustainable and energy efficient. Nonetheless, low product formation due to low electron transfer rates during direct EU remains a major challenge. Compared to indirect EU, direct EU is less well-studied perhaps due to the more recent discovery of this microbial capability. This mini-review focuses on the recent advances and challenges of direct EU in relation to MES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rengasamy Karthikeyan
- grid.4367.6 0000 0001 2355 7002 Department of Biology Washington University in Saint Louis One Brookings Drive 63130 St. Louis MO USA
| | - Rajesh Singh
- grid.4367.6 0000 0001 2355 7002 Department of Biology Washington University in Saint Louis One Brookings Drive 63130 St. Louis MO USA
| | - Arpita Bose
- grid.4367.6 0000 0001 2355 7002 Department of Biology Washington University in Saint Louis One Brookings Drive 63130 St. Louis MO USA
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Irfan M, Bai Y, Zhou L, Kazmi M, Yuan S, Maurice Mbadinga S, Yang SZ, Liu JF, Sand W, Gu JD, Mu BZ. Direct microbial transformation of carbon dioxide to value-added chemicals: A comprehensive analysis and application potentials. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2019; 288:121401. [PMID: 31151767 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.121401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2019] [Revised: 04/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Irfan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Department of Chemical, Polymer and Composite Materials Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, KSK Campus, Lahore 54890, Pakistan
| | - Yang Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Lei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Mohsin Kazmi
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Department of Chemical, Polymer and Composite Materials Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, KSK Campus, Lahore 54890, Pakistan
| | - Shan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Serge Maurice Mbadinga
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Shi-Zhong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jin Feng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Wolfgang Sand
- Textile Pollution Controlling Engineering Center of Ministry of Environmental Protection, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China; Biofilm Centre, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ji-Dong Gu
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Bo-Zhong Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Engineering Research Center of MEOR, East China University of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200237, China.
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Jourdin L, Winkelhorst M, Rawls B, Buisman CJ, Strik DP. Enhanced selectivity to butyrate and caproate above acetate in continuous bioelectrochemical chain elongation from CO2: Steering with CO2 loading rate and hydraulic retention time. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biteb.2019.100284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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45
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Aryal N, Wan L, Overgaard MH, Stoot AC, Chen Y, Tremblay PL, Zhang T. Increased carbon dioxide reduction to acetate in a microbial electrosynthesis reactor with a reduced graphene oxide-coated copper foam composite cathode. Bioelectrochemistry 2019; 128:83-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2019.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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46
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Zhou M, Yan B, Lang Q, Zhang Y. Elevated volatile fatty acids production through reuse of acidogenic off-gases during electro-fermentation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 668:295-302. [PMID: 30852206 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Electro-fermentation is gaining attention for its advantage in promoting product recovery and valorization of organic wastes. However, emission of by-product gases during acidogenic fermentation is one of the key reasons for reduced product recovery whereas high gas pressure in the acidogenic headspace could pose an inhibitory effect on the production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs). This study presents a novel electro-fermentation (EF) system for enhancing VFAs production by in situ reuse of anodic off-gases (mainly CO2 and H2) in the cathode. A total VFAs production of 0.57 g-VFAs/g-VS was achieved through reuse of acidogenic off-gases in EF system, corresponding to 48.70% increase in comparison with the treatment without off-gases reuse. Consequently, the conversion efficiency of carbon to VFAs was improved significantly by 13.92%. Acidogenic metabolic pathway in the anode shifted to mixed -acid fermentation with the succession of dominant microbes from genus of Escherichia in the seeding inocula to Bacteroides and Desulfovibrio in the anode and cathode chambers, respectively. This would provide a way to enhance VFAs recovery from organic wastes, which also contributes to reduced carbon footprint and increased environmental sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Zhou
- Lab of Waste Valorization and Water Reuse, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China; State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Pollution Control, Beijing 102206, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Binghua Yan
- Lab of Waste Valorization and Water Reuse, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China.
| | - Qiaolin Lang
- Lab of Waste Valorization and Water Reuse, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Lab of Waste Valorization and Water Reuse, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
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47
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Reaching full potential: bioelectrochemical systems for storing renewable energy in chemical bonds. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2019; 57:66-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2019.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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48
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Qian Y, Huang L, Zhou P, Tian F, Puma GL. Reduction of Cu(II) and simultaneous production of acetate from inorganic carbon by Serratia Marcescens biofilms and plankton cells in microbial electrosynthesis systems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 666:114-125. [PMID: 30798222 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Simultaneous Cu(II) reduction (6.42 ± 0.02 mg/L/h), acetate production (1.13 ± 0.02 mg/L/h) from inorganic carbon (i.e., CO2 sequestration), and hydrogen evolution (0.0315 ± 0.0005 m3/m3/d) were achieved in a Serratia marcescens Q1 catalyzed microbial electrosynthesis system (MES). The biofilms released increasing amounts of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) with a higher compositional diversity and stronger Cu(II) complexation, compared to the plankton cells, at higher Cu(II) concentrations (up to 80 mg/L) and circuital currents (cathodic potential of -900 mV vs. standard hydrogen electrode (SHE)). Moreover, the biofilms reduced Cu(II) to Cu(0) more effectively than the plankton cells. At Cu(II) concentrations below 80 mg/L, the dehydrogenase activity in the biofilms was higher than in the plankton cells, and increased with circuital current, which was converse to the lower activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and antioxidative glutathione (GSH) in the biofilms than the plankton cells, although all these physiological activities were positively correlated with the concentration of Cu(II). This is the first study that evaluates the EPS constituents and the physiological activities of the biofilms and the plankton cells in the MESs, that favors the production of acetate from CO2 sequestration and the simultaneous reduction of Cu(II) from organics-barren waters contaminated with heavy metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitong Qian
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Ministry of Education (MOE), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Liping Huang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Ministry of Education (MOE), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China.
| | - Peng Zhou
- College of Chemistry, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Fuping Tian
- College of Chemistry, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Gianluca Li Puma
- Environmental Nanocatalysis & Photoreaction Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, United Kingdom.
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Molenaar SD, Elzinga M, Willemse SG, Sleutels T, ter Heijne A, Buisman CJN. Comparison of Two Sustainable Counter Electrodes for Energy Storage in the Microbial Rechargeable Battery. ChemElectroChem 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.201900470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sam D. Molenaar
- WetsusEuropean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology Oostergoweg 9 8911 MA Leeuwarden The Netherlands
- Department of Environmental TechnologyWageningen University Bornse Weilanden 9 6708 WG Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Margo Elzinga
- WetsusEuropean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology Oostergoweg 9 8911 MA Leeuwarden The Netherlands
| | - Sonja G. Willemse
- WetsusEuropean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology Oostergoweg 9 8911 MA Leeuwarden The Netherlands
| | - Tom Sleutels
- WetsusEuropean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology Oostergoweg 9 8911 MA Leeuwarden The Netherlands
| | - Annemiek ter Heijne
- Department of Environmental TechnologyWageningen University Bornse Weilanden 9 6708 WG Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Cees J. N. Buisman
- WetsusEuropean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology Oostergoweg 9 8911 MA Leeuwarden The Netherlands
- Department of Environmental TechnologyWageningen University Bornse Weilanden 9 6708 WG Wageningen The Netherlands
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Tian S, Wang H, Dong Z, Yang Y, Yuan H, Huang Q, Song TS, Xie J. Mo 2C-induced hydrogen production enhances microbial electrosynthesis of acetate from CO 2 reduction. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2019; 12:71. [PMID: 30976321 PMCID: PMC6442412 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-019-1413-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a biocathode-driven process, in which electroautotrophic microorganisms can directly uptake electrons or indirectly via H2 from the cathode as energy sources and CO2 as only carbon source to produce chemicals. RESULTS This study demonstrates that a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalyst can enhance MES performance. An active HER electrocatalyst molybdenum carbide (Mo2C)-modified electrode was constructed for MES. The volumetric acetate production rate of MES with 12 mg cm-2 Mo2C was 0.19 ± 0.02 g L-1 day-1, which was 2.1 times higher than that of the control. The final acetate concentration reached 5.72 ± 0.6 g L-1 within 30 days, and coulombic efficiencies of 64 ± 0.7% were yielded. Furthermore, electrochemical study, scanning electron microscopy, and microbial community analyses suggested that Mo2C can accelerate the release of hydrogen, promote the formation of biofilms and regulate the mixed microbial flora. CONCLUSION Coupling a HER catalyst to a cathode of MES system is a promising strategy for improving MES efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihao Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816 People’s Republic of China
- College of Life Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816 People’s Republic of China
| | - Haoqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816 People’s Republic of China
- College of Life Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816 People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiwei Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816 People’s Republic of China
- College of Life Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yang Yang
- Jiangsu Branch of China Academy of Science & Technology Development, Nanjing, 210008 People’s Republic of China
| | - Hao Yuan
- Jiangsu Branch of China Academy of Science & Technology Development, Nanjing, 210008 People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiong Huang
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control (AEMPC), Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044 People’s Republic of China
| | - Tian-shun Song
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816 People’s Republic of China
- College of Life Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816 People’s Republic of China
- Jiangsu Branch of China Academy of Science & Technology Development, Nanjing, 210008 People’s Republic of China
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control (AEMPC), Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jingjing Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816 People’s Republic of China
- College of Life Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816 People’s Republic of China
- Jiangsu Branch of China Academy of Science & Technology Development, Nanjing, 210008 People’s Republic of China
- Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing, 211816 People’s Republic of China
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