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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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Nwanebu E, Jezernik M, Lawson C, Bruant G, Tartakovsky B. Impact of cathodic pH and bioaugmentation on acetate and CH 4 production in a microbial electrosynthesis cell. RSC Adv 2024; 14:22962-22973. [PMID: 39086992 PMCID: PMC11290334 DOI: 10.1039/d4ra03906h] [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: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
This study compares carbon dioxide conversion in carbonate-fed microbial electrosynthesis (MES) cells operated at low (5.3), neutral (7) and high (8) pH levels and inoculated either with wild-type or bioaugmented mixed microbial populations. Two 100 mL (cathode volume) MES cells inoculated with anaerobic digester sludge were operated with a continuous supply of carbonate solution (5 g L-1 as CO3 2-). Acetate production was highest at low pH, however CH4 production still persisted, possibly due to pH gradients within the cathodic biofilm, resulting in acetate and CH4 volumetric (per cathode compartment volume) production rates of 1.0 ± 0.1 g (Lc d)-1 and 0.84 ± 0.05 L (Lc d)-1, respectively. To enhance production of carboxylic acids, four strains of acetogenic bacteria (Clostridium carboxidivorans, Clostridium ljungdahlii, Clostridium autoethanogenum, and Eubacterium limosum) were added to both MES cells. In the bioaugmented MES cells, acetate production increased to 2.0 g (Lc d)-1. However, production of other carboxylic acids such as butyrate and caproate was insignificant. Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing of cathodic biofilm and suspended biomass suggested a low density of introduced acetogenic bacteria implying that selective pressure rather than bioaugmentation led to improved acetate production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Nwanebu
- Energy, Mining and Environment Research Centre, National Research Council Canada 6100 Royalmount Avenue Montreal Quebec H4P 2R2 Canada
| | - Mara Jezernik
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto Toronto Canada
| | - Christopher Lawson
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto Toronto Canada
| | - Guillaume Bruant
- Energy, Mining and Environment Research Centre, National Research Council Canada 6100 Royalmount Avenue Montreal Quebec H4P 2R2 Canada
| | - Boris Tartakovsky
- Energy, Mining and Environment Research Centre, National Research Council Canada 6100 Royalmount Avenue Montreal Quebec H4P 2R2 Canada
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Moon BC, Kim S, Jo YY, Park JH, Ko JK, Lee DK. Biocompatible Cu/NiMo Composite Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Microbial Electrosynthesis; Unveiling the Self-Detoxification Effect of Cu. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2309775. [PMID: 38552158 PMCID: PMC11165482 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202309775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
H2-driven microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is an emerging bioelectrochemical technology that enables the production of complex compounds from CO2. Although the performance of microbial fermentation in the MES system is closely related to the H2 production rate, high-performing metallic H2-evolving catalysts (HEC) generate cytotoxic H2O2 and metal cations from undesirable side reactions, severely damaging microorganisms. Herein, a novel design for self-detoxifying metallic HEC, resulting in biologically benign H2 production, is reported. Cu/NiMo composite HEC suppresses H2O2 evolution by altering the O2 reduction kinetics to a four-electron pathway and subsequently decomposes the inevitably generated H2O2 in sequential catalytic and electrochemical pathways. Furthermore, in situ generated Cu-rich layer at the surface prevents NiMo from corroding and releasing cytotoxic Ni cations. Consequently, the Cu/NiMo composite HEC in the MES system registers a 50% increase in the performance of lithoautotrophic bacterium Cupriavidus necator H16, for the conversion of CO2 to a biopolymer, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate). This work successfully demonstrates the concept of self-detoxification in designing biocompatible materials for bioelectrochemical applications as well as MES systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byeong Cheul Moon
- Clean Energy Research CenterKorea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)Seoul02792Republic of Korea
- Center for Water Cycle ResearchKorea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)Seoul02792Republic of Korea
| | - Soyoung Kim
- Clean Energy Research CenterKorea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)Seoul02792Republic of Korea
| | - Young Yoon Jo
- Clean Energy Research CenterKorea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)Seoul02792Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Hyeok Park
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringYonsei‐KIST Convergence Research InstituteYonsei UniversitySeoul03722Republic of Korea
| | - Ja Kyong Ko
- Clean Energy Research CenterKorea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)Seoul02792Republic of Korea
- Division of Energy and Environment TechnologyKIST SchoolUniversity of Science and TechnologySeoul02792Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Ki Lee
- Clean Energy Research CenterKorea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)Seoul02792Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringYonsei‐KIST Convergence Research InstituteYonsei UniversitySeoul03722Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Energy and EnvironmentKorea UniversitySeoul02841Republic of Korea
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Chen Y, Chen Y, Dai DZ, Li XL, Song T, Xie J. ZnMo-MOF as anti-CO hydrogen electrocatalyst enhance microbial electrosynthesis for CO/CO 2 conversion. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 358:142157. [PMID: 38679181 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142157] [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: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is an electrically driven technology that can be used for converting CO/CO2 into chemicals. The unique electronic and substrate properties of CO make it an important research target for MES. However, CO can poison the cathode and increase the overpotential of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), thus reducing the electron transfer rate via H2. This work evaluated the effect of an anti-CO HER catalyst on the performance of MES for CO/CO2 conversion. ZnMo-metal-organic framework (MOF) materials with different calcination temperatures were synthesized. ZnMo-MOF-800 with Mo2C nanoparticles as active centers exhibited excellent resistance to CO toxicity. It also obtained the highest hydrogen evolution and enhanced electron transfer rate in CO atmosphere. MES with ZnMo-MOF-800 cathode and Clostridium ljungdahlii as biocatalyst obtained 0.31 g L-1 d-1 acetate yield, 0.1 g L-1 d-1 butyrate yield, and 0.09 g L-1 d-1 2,3-butanediol yield in CO/CO2, while Pt/C only get 0.076 g L-1 d-1 acetate yield, 0.05 g L-1 d-1 butyrate yield and 0.02 g L-1 d-1 2,3-butanediol yield. ZnMo-MOF-800 was conducive to biofilm formation, enabling it to better resist CO toxicity. This work provides new opportunities for constructing a highly efficient cathode with an anti-CO hydrogen evolution catalyst to enhance CO/CO2 conversion in MES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China; College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China
| | - Yuhang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China; College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China
| | | | - Xiang Ling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China; College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China
| | - Tianshun Song
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China; College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China.
| | - Jingjing Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China; College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, PR China; Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing 211816, PR China.
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Chen G, Wang R, Sun M, Chen J, Iyobosa E, Zhao J. Carbon dioxide reduction to high-value chemicals in microbial electrosynthesis system: Biological conversion and regulation strategies. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 344:140251. [PMID: 37769909 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Large emissions of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) are causing climatic and environmental problems. It is crucial to capture and utilize the excess CO2 through diverse methods, among which the microbial electrosynthesis (MES) system has become an attractive and promising technology to mitigate greenhouse effects while reducing CO2 to high-value chemicals. However, the biological conversion and metabolic pathways through microbial catalysis have not been clearly elucidated. This review first introduces the main acetogenic bacteria for CO2 reduction and extracellular electron transfer mechanisms in MES. It then intensively analyzes the CO2 bioconversion pathways and carbon chain elongation processes in MES, together with energy supply and utilization. The factors affecting MES performance, including physical, chemical, and biological aspects, are summarized, and the strategies to promote and regulate bioconversion in MES are explored. Finally, challenges and perspectives concerning microbial electrochemical carbon sequestration are proposed, and suggestions for future research are also provided. This review provides theoretical foundation and technical support for further development and industrial application of MES for CO2 reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaoxiang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze Aquatic Environment (MOE), College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Rongchang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze Aquatic Environment (MOE), College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, Shanghai, PR China.
| | - Maoxin Sun
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze Aquatic Environment (MOE), College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jie Chen
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze Aquatic Environment (MOE), College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Eheneden Iyobosa
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze Aquatic Environment (MOE), College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jianfu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze Aquatic Environment (MOE), College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, Shanghai, PR China
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Qiu Z, Zhang K, Li XL, Song TS, Xie J. Sn promotes formate production to enhance microbial electrosynthesis of acetate via indirect electron transport. Biochem Eng J 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2023.108842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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Zhu Q, Peng J, Huang Y, Ni H, Long ZE, Zou L. Effect of Mo2C-functionalized electrode interface on enhancing microbial cathode electrocatalysis: beyond electrochemical hydrogen evolution. Electrochim Acta 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2023.141924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Luo D, Zhang K, Song T, Xie J. Improving cell permeability and stimulating biofilm to release extracellular polymeric substances with lysozyme for enhanced acetate production in microbial electrosynthesis. J CO2 UTIL 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcou.2022.102204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Luo D, Zhang K, Song T, Xie J. Enhancing microbial electrosynthesis by releasing extracellular polymeric substances: Novel strategy through extracellular electron transfer improvement. Biochem Eng J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2022.108496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Vassilev I, Dessì P, Puig S, Kokko M. Cathodic biofilms - A prerequisite for microbial electrosynthesis. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 348:126788. [PMID: 35104648 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.126788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Cathodic biofilms have an important role in CO2 bio-reduction to carboxylic acids and biofuels in microbial electrosynthesis (MES) cells. However, robust and resilient electroactive biofilms for an efficient CO2 conversion are difficult to achieve. In this review, the fundamentals of cathodic biofilm formation, including energy conservation, electron transfer and development of catalytic biofilms, are presented. In addition, strategies for improving cathodic biofilm formation, such as the selection of electrode and carrier materials, cell design and operational conditions, are described. The knowledge gaps are individuated, and possible solutions are proposed to achieve stable and productive biofilms in MES cathodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Vassilev
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, Korkeakoulunkatu 8, 33720, Tampere, Finland
| | - Paolo Dessì
- School of Chemistry and Energy Research Centre, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
| | - Sebastià Puig
- LEQUIA. Institute of Environment. University of Girona, Carrer Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, 17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Marika Kokko
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, Korkeakoulunkatu 8, 33720, Tampere, Finland.
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Song S, Li Y, Shi Y, Xu Y, Niu Y. Oxygen-doped MoS2 nanoflowers with sulfur vacancies as electrocatalyst for efficient hydrazine oxidation. J Electroanal Chem (Lausanne) 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2021.115986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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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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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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