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Qi X, Liu X, Gu Y, Liang P. Whole-cell biophotovoltaic systems for renewable energy generation: A systematic analysis of existing knowledge. Bioelectrochemistry 2024; 158:108695. [PMID: 38531227 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2024.108695] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The development of carbon-neutral fuel sources is an essential step in addressing the global fossil energy crisis. Whole-cell biophotovoltaic systems (BPVs) are a renewable, non-polluting energy-generating device that utilizes oxygenic photosynthetic microbes (OPMs) to split water molecules and generate bioelectricity under the driving of light energy. Since 2006, BPVs have been widely studied, with the order magnitudes of power density increasing from 10-4 mW/m2 to 103 mW/m2. This review examines the extracellular electron transfer (EET) mechanisms and regulation techniques of BPVs from biofilm to external environment. It is found that the EET of OPMs is mainly mediated by membrane proteins, with terminal oxidase limiting the power output. Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 and Chlorella vulgaris are two species that produce high power density in BPVs. The use of metal nanoparticles mixing, 3D pillar array electrodes, microfluidic technology, and transient-state operation models can significantly enhance power density. Challenges and potential research directions are discussed, including a deeper analysis of EET mechanisms and dynamics, the development of modular devices, integration of multiple regulatory components, and the exploration of novel BPV technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Qi
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Xinning Liu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Yuyi Gu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Peng Liang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China.
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Tee JY, Ng FL, Keng FSL, Lee CW, Zhang B, Lin S, Gnana kumar G, Phang SM. Green synthesis of reduced graphene oxide by using tropical microalgae and its application in biophotovoltaic devices. iScience 2024; 27:109564. [PMID: 38617563 PMCID: PMC11015452 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The successful commercialization of algal biophotovoltaics (BPV) technology hinges upon a multifaceted approach, encompassing factors such as the development of a cost-efficient and highly conductive anode material. To address this issue, we developed an environmentally benign method of producing reduced graphene oxide (rGO), using concentrated Chlorella sp. UMACC 313 suspensions as the reducing agent. The produced rGO was subsequently coated on the carbon paper (rGO-CP) and used as the BPV device's anode. As a result, maximum power density was increased by 950% for Chlorella sp. UMACC 258 (0.210 mW m-2) and 781% for Synechococcus sp. UMACC 371 (0.555 mW m-2) compared to bare CP. The improved microalgae adhesion to the anode and improved electrical conductivity of rGO brought on by the effective removal of oxygen functional groups may be the causes of this. This study has demonstrated how microalgal-reduced GO may improve the efficiency of algal BPV for producing bioelectricity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Ye Tee
- Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences (IOES), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
- Institute for Advanced Studies, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Fong-Lee Ng
- Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences (IOES), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
- School of Biosciences, Taylor’s University, Lakeside Campus, Subang Jaya 47500, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Fiona Seh-Lin Keng
- Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences (IOES), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Choon-Weng Lee
- Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences (IOES), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Bingqing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Shiwei Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - G. Gnana kumar
- Department of Physical Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai 625021, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Siew-Moi Phang
- Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences (IOES), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Jalan Puncak Menara Gading, Taman Connaught, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
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MOFs for Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage. INORGANICS 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/inorganics11020065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are a family of crystalline porous materials which attracts much attention for their possible application in energy electrochemical conversion and storage devices due to their ordered structures characterized by large surface areas and the presence in selected cases of a redox-active porous skeleton. Their synthetic versatility and relevant host-guest chemistry make them suitable platform for use in stable and flexible conductive materials. In this review we summarize the most recent results obtained in this field, by analyzing the use of MOFs in fuel and solar cells with special emphasis on PEMFCs and PSCs, their application in supercapacitors and the employment in batteries by differentiating Li-, Na- and other metal ion-batteries. Finally, an overview of the water splitting reaction MOF-catalyzed is also reported.
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Schneider H, Lai B, Krömer J. Utilizing Cyanobacteria in Biophotovoltaics: An Emerging Field in Bioelectrochemistry. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2023; 183:281-302. [PMID: 36441187 DOI: 10.1007/10_2022_212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Anthropogenic global warming is driven by the increasing energy demand and the still dominant use of fossil energy carriers to meet these needs. New carbon-neutral energy sources are urgently needed to solve this problem. Biophotovoltaics, a member of the so-called bioelectrochemical systems family, will provide an important piece of the energy puzzle. It aims to harvest the electrons from sunlight-driven water splitting using the natural oxygenic photosystem (e.g., of cyanobacteria) and utilize them in the form of, e.g., electricity or hydrogen. Several key aspects of biophotovoltaics have been intensively studied in recent years like physicochemical properties of electrodes or efficient wiring of microorganisms to electrodes. Yet, the exact mechanisms of electron transfer between the biocatalyst and the electrode remain unresolved today. Most research is conducted on microscale reactors generating small currents over short time-scales, but multiple experiments have shown biophotovoltaics great potential with lab-scale reactors producing currents over weeks to months. Although biophotovoltaics is still in its infancy with many open research questions to be addressed, new promising results from various labs around the world suggest an important opportunity for biophotovoltaics in the decades to come. In this chapter, we will introduce the concept of biophotovoltaics, summarize its recent key progress, and finally critically discuss the potentials and challenges for future rational development of biophotovoltaics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Schneider
- Department of Solar Materials, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Bin Lai
- Department of Solar Materials, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jens Krömer
- Department of Solar Materials, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
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Li Z, Wang Z. Controllable Synthetic Strategy of the Coordinatively Unsaturated Metal Sites on Ni-BTC for Highly Efficient Oxygen Evolution. Catal Today 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cattod.2023.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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