1
|
Che S, Guan X, Rodrigues R, Yu Y, Xie Y, Liu C, Men Y. Synergistic material-microbe interface toward deeper anaerobic defluorination. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2400525121. [PMID: 39042683 PMCID: PMC11295042 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2400525121] [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: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), particularly the perfluorinated ones, are recalcitrant to biodegradation. By integrating an enrichment culture of reductive defluorination with biocompatible electrodes for the electrochemical process, a deeper defluorination of a C6-perfluorinated unsaturated PFAS was achieved compared to the biological or electrochemical system alone. Two synergies in the bioelectrochemical system were identified: i) The in-series microbial-electrochemical defluorination and ii) the electrochemically enabled microbial defluorination of intermediates. These synergies at the material-microbe interfaces surpassed the limitation of microbial defluorination and further turned the biotransformation end products into less fluorinated products, which could be less toxic and more biodegradable in the environment. This material-microbe hybrid system brings opportunities in the bioremediation of PFAS driven by renewable electricity and warrants future research on mechanistic understanding of defluorinating and electroactive microorganisms at the material-microbe interface for system optimizations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shun Che
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA92521
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL61801
| | - Xun Guan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Roselyn Rodrigues
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Yaochun Yu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA92521
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL61801
| | - Yongchao Xie
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Chong Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA90095
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Yujie Men
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA92521
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL61801
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mei N, Tremblay PL, Wu Y, Zhang T. Proposed mechanisms of electron uptake in metal-corroding methanogens and their potential for CO 2 bioconversion applications. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 923:171384. [PMID: 38432383 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171384] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Some methanogens are electrotrophic bio-corroding microbes that can acquire electrons from solid surfaces including metals. In the laboratory, pure cultures of methanogenic cells oxidize iron-based materials including carbon steel, stainless steel, and Fe0. For buried or immersed pipelines or other metallic structures, methanogens are often major components of corroding biofilms with complex interspecies relationships. Models explaining how these microbes acquire electrons from solid donors are multifaceted and include electron transfer via redox mediators such as H2 or by direct contact through membrane proteins. Understanding the electron uptake (EU) routes employed by corroding methanogens is essential to develop efficient strategies for corrosion prevention. It is also beneficial for the development of bioenergy applications relying on methanogenic EU from solid donors such as bioelectromethanogenesis, hybrid photosynthesis, and the acceleration of anaerobic digestion with electroconductive particles. Many methanogenic species carrying out biocorrosion are the same ones forming the extensive abiotic-biological interfaces at the core of these bio-applications. This review will discuss the interactions between corrosive methanogens and metals and how the EU capability of these microbes can be harnessed for different sustainable biotechnologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nan Mei
- Institut WUT-AMU, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Pier-Luc Tremblay
- Institut WUT-AMU, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; Shaoxing Institute for Advanced Research, Wuhan University of Technology, Shaoxing 312300, PR China; Sanya Science and Education Innovation Park, Wuhan University of Technology, Sanya 572024, PR China
| | - Yuyang Wu
- Institut WUT-AMU, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Tian Zhang
- Institut WUT-AMU, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; Shaoxing Institute for Advanced Research, Wuhan University of Technology, Shaoxing 312300, PR China; Sanya Science and Education Innovation Park, Wuhan University of Technology, Sanya 572024, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Xie Y, Erşan S, Guan X, Wang J, Sha J, Xu S, Wohlschlegel JA, Park JO, Liu C. Unexpected metabolic rewiring of CO 2 fixation in H 2-mediated materials-biology hybrids. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2308373120. [PMID: 37816063 PMCID: PMC10589654 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2308373120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
A hybrid approach combining water-splitting electrochemistry and H2-oxidizing, CO2-fixing microorganisms offers a viable solution for producing value-added chemicals from sunlight, water, and air. The classic wisdom without thorough examination to date assumes that the electrochemistry in such a H2-mediated process is innocent of altering microbial behavior. Here, we report unexpected metabolic rewiring induced by water-splitting electrochemistry in H2-oxidizing acetogenic bacterium Sporomusa ovata that challenges such a classic view. We found that the planktonic S. ovata is more efficient in utilizing reducing equivalent for ATP generation in the materials-biology hybrids than cells grown with H2 supply, supported by our metabolomic and proteomic studies. The efficiency of utilizing reducing equivalents and fixing CO2 into acetate has increased from less than 80% of chemoautotrophy to more than 95% under electroautotrophic conditions. These observations unravel previously underappreciated materials' impact on microbial metabolism in seemingly simply H2-mediated charge transfer between biotic and abiotic components. Such a deeper understanding of the materials-biology interface will foster advanced design of hybrid systems for sustainable chemical transformation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongchao Xie
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Sevcan Erşan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Xun Guan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Jingyu Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Jihui Sha
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Shuangning Xu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | | | - Junyoung O. Park
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Chong Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Guan X, Erşan S, Hu X, Atallah TL, Xie Y, Lu S, Cao B, Sun J, Wu K, Huang Y, Duan X, Caram JR, Yu Y, Park JO, Liu C. Maximizing light-driven CO 2 and N 2 fixation efficiency in quantum dot-bacteria hybrids. Nat Catal 2022; 5:1019-1029. [PMID: 36844635 PMCID: PMC9956923 DOI: 10.1038/s41929-022-00867-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Integrating light-harvesting materials with microbial biochemistry is a viable approach to produce chemicals with high efficiency from the air, water, and sunlight. Yet it remains unclear whether all absorbed photons in the materials can be transferred through the material-biology interface for solar-to-chemical production and whether the presence of materials beneficially affect the microbial metabolism. Here we report a microbe-semiconductor hybrid by interfacing CO2/N2-fixing bacterium Xanthobacter autotrophicus with CdTe quantum dots for light-driven CO2 and N2 fixation with internal quantum efficiencies of 47.2 ± 7.3% and 7.1 ± 1.1%, respectively, reaching the biochemical limits of 46.1% and 6.9% imposed by the stoichiometry in biochemical pathways. Photophysical studies suggest fast charge-transfer kinetics at the microbe-semiconductor interfaces, while proteomics and metabolomics indicate a material-induced regulation of microbial metabolism favoring higher quantum efficiencies compared to the biological counterparts alone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xun Guan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Sevcan Erşan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Xiangchen Hu
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Timothy L. Atallah
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Denison University, Granville, Ohio 43023, United States
| | - Yongchao Xie
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Shengtao Lu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Bocheng Cao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Jingwen Sun
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Ke Wu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Yu Huang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Xiangfeng Duan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Justin R. Caram
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Yi Yu
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Junyoung O. Park
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Chong Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bajracharya S, Krige A, Matsakas L, Rova U, Christakopoulos P. Advances in cathode designs and reactor configurations of microbial electrosynthesis systems to facilitate gas electro-fermentation. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 354:127178. [PMID: 35436538 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In gas fermentation, a range of chemolithoautotrophs fix single-carbon (C1) gases (CO2 and CO) when H2 or other reductants are available. Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) enables CO2 reduction by generating H2 or reducing equivalents with the sole input of renewable electricity. A combined approach as gas electro-fermentation is attractive for the sustainable production of biofuels and biochemicals utilizing C1 gases. Various platform compounds such as acetate, butyrate, caproate, ethanol, butanol and bioplastics can be produced. However, technological challenges pertaining to the microbe-material interactions such as poor gas-liquid mass transfer, low biomass and biofilm coverage on cathode, low productivities still exist. We are presenting a review on latest developments in MES focusing on the configuration and design of cathodes that can address the challenges and support the gas electro-fermentation. Overall, the opportunities for advancing CO and CO2-based biochemicals and biofuels production in MES with suitable cathode/reactor design are prospected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suman Bajracharya
- Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971-87 Luleå, Sweden.
| | - Adolf Krige
- Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971-87 Luleå, Sweden
| | - Leonidas Matsakas
- Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971-87 Luleå, Sweden
| | - Ulrika Rova
- Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971-87 Luleå, Sweden
| | - Paul Christakopoulos
- Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971-87 Luleå, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Improved polyhydroxybutyrate production by Cupriavidus necator and the photocatalyst graphitic carbon nitride from fructose under low light intensity. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 203:526-534. [PMID: 35120931 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.01.179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The photocatalyst graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is known to photostimulate the production of the bioplastic polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) by Cupriavidus necator. In previous studies, the combination of C. necator and g-C3N4 increased PHB yield from either an organic or inorganic carbon substrate under a light intensity of 4200 lx. Here, different parameters including light intensity, pH, temperature, nitrogen and carbon concentrations, aeration, and inoculum size were explored to maximize PHB production by hybrid photosynthesis from fructose and visible light. A g-C3N4/C. necator culture grown with a lower light intensity of 2100 lx, an inoculum size of 128.30 × 106 CFU ml-1, and constant aeration produced 7.16 g l-1 d-1 PHB with a product yield from fructose of 60.94%. Furthermore, the ratio of incident photons harvested by g-C3N4 converted into NADPH+H+ by C. necator for PHB production was improved to 19.74% after the process optimization. In comparison, the PHB production rate of a non-optimized g-C3N4/C. necator system exposed to 4200 lx was only 2.94 g l-1 d-1 with a product yield from fructose of 33.29%. These results demonstrate that hybrid photosynthesis productivity can be significantly augmented by decreasing light intensity and adjusting other parameters, which is promising for future bioproduction applications.
Collapse
|
7
|
Sheng T, Guan X, Liu C, Su Y. De Novo Approach to Encapsulating Biocatalysts into Synthetic Matrixes: From Enzymes to Microbial Electrocatalysts. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:52234-52249. [PMID: 34352175 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c09708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Biocatalysts hold great promise in chemical and electrochemical reactions. However, biocatalysts are prone to inhospitable physiochemical conditions. Encapsulating biocatalysts into a synthetic host matrix can improve their stability and activity, and broaden their operational conditions. In this Review, we summarize the emerging de novo approaches to encapsulating biocatalysts into synthetic matrixes. Here, de novo means that embedding of biocatalysts and construction of matrixes take place simultaneously. We discuss the advantages and limitations of the de novo approach. On the basis of the nature of the biocatalysts and the synthetic frameworks, we specifically focus on two aspects: (1) encapsulation of enzymes (in vitro) in metal-organic frameworks and (2) encapsulation of microbial electrocatalysts (in vivo) on the electrode. For both cases, we discuss how the encapsulation improves biocatalysts' performance (stability, viability, activity, and etc.). We also highlight the benefit of encapsulation in facilitating the transport of charge carriers in microbial electrocatalysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianran Sheng
- Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Xun Guan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Chong Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Yude Su
- Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Xu N, Wang TL, Li WJ, Wang Y, Chen JJ, Liu J. Tuning Redox Potential of Anthraquinone-2-Sulfonate (AQS) by Chemical Modification to Facilitate Electron Transfer From Electrodes in Shewanella oneidensis. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:705414. [PMID: 34447742 PMCID: PMC8383453 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.705414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) are emerging as attractive routes for sustainable energy generation, environmental remediation, bio-based chemical production and beyond. Electron shuttles (ESs) can be reversibly oxidized and reduced among multiple redox reactions, thereby assisting extracellular electron transfer (EET) process in BESs. Here, we explored the effects of 14 ESs on EET in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, and found that anthraquinone-2-sulfonate (AQS) led to the highest cathodic current density, total charge production and reduction product formation. Subsequently, we showed that the introduction of -OH or -NH2 group into AQS at position one obviously affected redox potentials. The AQS-1-NH2 exhibited a lower redox potential and a higher Coulombic efficiency compared to AQS, revealing that the ESs with a more negative potential are conducive to minimize energy losses and improve the reduction of electron acceptor. Additionally, the cytochromes MtrA and MtrB were required for optimal AQS-mediated EET of S. oneidensis MR-1. This study will provide new clues for rational design of efficient ESs in microbial electrosynthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ning Xu
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Tai-Lin Wang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wen-Jie Li
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jie-Jie Chen
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China.,College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wang R, Li H, Sun J, Zhang L, Jiao J, Wang Q, Liu S. Nanomaterials Facilitating Microbial Extracellular Electron Transfer at Interfaces. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2004051. [PMID: 33325567 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202004051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemically active bacteria can transport their metabolically generated electrons to anodes, or accept electrons from cathodes to synthesize high-value chemicals and fuels, via a process known as extracellular electron transfer (EET). Harnessing of this microbial EET process has led to the development of microbial bio-electrochemical systems (BESs), which can achieve the interconversion of electrical and chemical energy and enable electricity generation, hydrogen production, electrosynthesis, wastewater treatment, desalination, water and soil remediation, and sensing. Here, the focus is on the current understanding of the microbial EET process occurring at both the bacteria-electrode interface and the biotic interface, as well as some attempts to improve the EET by using various nanomaterials. The behavior of nanomaterials in different EET routes and their influence on the performance of BESs are described. The inherent mechanisms will guide rational design of EET-related materials and lead to a better understanding of EET mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruiwen Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China
| | - Huidong Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China
| | - Jinzhi Sun
- School of Life Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China
| | - Jia Jiao
- School of Life Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China
| | - Qingqing Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Micro- and Nanotechnology Research Center, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China
| | - Shaoqin Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Shi XC, Tremblay PL, Wan L, Zhang T. Improved robustness of microbial electrosynthesis by adaptation of a strict anaerobic microbial catalyst to molecular oxygen. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 754:142440. [PMID: 33254866 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) and other bioprocesses such as syngas fermentation developed for energy storage and the conversion of carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals often employs acetogens as microbial catalysts. Acetogens are sensitive to molecular oxygen, which means that bioproduction reactors must be maintained under strict anaerobic conditions. This requirement increases cost and does not eliminate the possibility of O2 leakage. For MES, the risk is even greater since the system generates O2 when water splitting is the anodic reaction. Here, we show that O2 from the anode of a MES reactor diffuses into the cathode chamber where strict anaerobes reduce CO2. To overcome this drawback, a stepwise adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) strategy is used to develop the O2 tolerance of the acetogen Sporomusa ovata. Two heavily-mutated S. ovata strains growing well autotrophically in the presence of 0.5 to 5% O2 were obtained. The adapted strains were more performant in the MES system than the wild type converting electrical energy and CO2 into acetate 1.5 fold faster. This study shows that the O2 tolerance of acetogens can be increased, which leads to improvement of the performance and robustness of energy-storage bioprocesses such as MES where O2 is an inhibitor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Chen Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Pier-Luc Tremblay
- State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Lulu Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Tian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Xu M, Tremblay PL, Ding R, Xiao J, Wang J, Kang Y, Zhang T. Photo-augmented PHB production from CO 2 or fructose by Cupriavidus necator and shape-optimized CdS nanorods. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 753:142050. [PMID: 32898811 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142050] [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: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Particulate photocatalysts developed for the solar energy-driven reduction of the greenhouse gas CO2 have a small product range and low specificity. Hybrid photosynthesis expands the number of products with photocatalysts harvesting sunlight and transferring charges to microbes harboring versatile metabolisms for bioproduction. Besides CO2, abiotic photocatalysts have been employed to increase microbial production yields of reduced compounds from organic carbon substrates. Most single-reactor hybrid photosynthesis systems comprise CdS assembled in situ by microbial activity. This approach limits optimization of the morphology, crystal structure, and crystallinity of CdS for higher performance, which is usually done via synthesis methods incompatible with life. Here, shape and activity optimized CdS nanorods were hydrothermally produced and subsequently applied to Cupriavidus necator for the heterotrophic and autotrophic production of the bioplastic polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). C. necator with CdS NR under light produced 1.5 times more PHB when compared to the same bacterium with suboptimal commercially-available CdS. Illuminated C. necator with CdS NR synthesized 1.41 g PHB from fructose over 120 h and 28 mg PHB from CO2 over 48 h. Interestingly, the beneficial effect of CdS NR was specific to C. necator as the metabolism of other microbes often employed for bioproduction including yeast and bacteria was negatively impacted. These results demonstrate that hybrid photosynthesis is more productive when the photocatalyst characteristics are optimized via a separated synthesis process prior to being coupled with microbes. Furthermore, bioproduction improvement by CdS-based photocatalyst requires specific microbial species highlighting the importance of screening efforts for the development of performant hybrid photosynthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengying Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Pier-Luc Tremblay
- State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Ran Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Jianxun Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Junting Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Yu Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Tian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
Nearly a fourth of all enzymatic activities is attributable to oxidoreductases, and the redox reactions supported by this vast catalytic repertoire sustain cellular metabolism. In many biological processes, reduction depends on hydride transfer from either reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) or its phosphorylated derivative (NADPH). Despite longstanding efforts to regenerate NADPH by various methods and harness it to support chemoenzymatic synthesis strategies, the lack of product purity has been a major deterrent. Here, we demonstrate that a nanostructured heterolayer Ni-Cu2O-Cu cathode formed by a photoelectrochemical process has unexpected efficiency in direct electrochemical regeneration of NADPH from NADP+. Remarkably, two-thirds of NADP+ was converted to NADPH with no measurable production of the inactive (NADP)2 dimer and at the lowest reported overpotential [- 0.75 V versus Ag/AgCl (3 M NaCl) reference]. Sputtering of nickel on the copper-oxide electrode nucleated an unexpected surface morphology that was critical for high product selectivity. Our results should motivate design of integrated electrolyzer platforms that deploy this heterogeneous catalyst for direct electrochemical regeneration of NADH/NADPH, which is central to design of next-generation biofuel fermentation strategies, biological solar converters, energy-storage devices, and artificial photosynthesis.
Collapse
|
13
|
Dong G, Wang H, Yan Z, Zhang J, Ji X, Lin M, Dahlgren RA, Shang X, Zhang M, Chen Z. Cadmium sulfide nanoparticles-assisted intimate coupling of microbial and photoelectrochemical processes: Mechanisms and environmental applications. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 740:140080. [PMID: 32562993 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Intimate coupling of microbial extracellular electron transfer (EET) and photoelectrochemical processes is an emerging research area with great potential to circumvent many disadvantages associated with traditional techniques that depend on independent microbial or photocatalysis treatment. Microbial EET processes involve microorganism oxidation of extracellular electron donors for respiration and synchronous reduction of extracellular electron acceptors to form an integrated respiratory chain. Coupled microbial EET-photoelectrochemical technologies greatly improve energy conversion efficiency providing both economic and environmental benefits. Among substitutes for semiconductor photocatalysts, cadmium sulfide nanoparticles (CdS NPs) possess several attractive properties. Specifically, CdS NPs have suitable electrical conductivity, large specific surface area, visible light-driven photocatalysis capability and robust biocompatibility, enabling them to promote hybrid microbial-photoelectrochemical processes. This review highlights recent advances in intimately coupled CdS NPs-microbial extracellular electron transfer systems and examines the mechanistic pathways involved in photoelectrochemical transformations. Finally, the prospects for emerging applications utilizing hybrid CdS NPs-based microbial-photoelectrochemical technologies are assessed. As such, this review provides a rigorous fundamental analysis of electron transport dynamics for hybrid CdS NPs-microbial photoelectrochemical processes and explores the applicability of engineered CdS NPs-biohybrids for future applications, such as in environmental remediation and clean-energy production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guowen Dong
- Environmental Microbiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Watershed Science & Health, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, People's Republic of China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Resource and Environment Monitoring & Sustainable Management and Utilization, College of Resources and Chemical Engineering, Sanming University, Sanming 365000, People's Republic of China
| | - Honghui Wang
- School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Tan Kah Kee College, Xiamen University, Zhangzhou 363105, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiying Yan
- Environmental Microbiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Zhang
- School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Tan Kah Kee College, Xiamen University, Zhangzhou 363105, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoliang Ji
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Watershed Science & Health, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, People's Republic of China
| | - Maozi Lin
- Fujian Provincial Key Lab of Coastal Basin Environment, Fujian Polytechnic Normal University, Fuqing 350300, People's Republic of China
| | - Randy A Dahlgren
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Watershed Science & Health, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, People's Republic of China; Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Xu Shang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Watershed Science & Health, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, People's Republic of China
| | - Minghua Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Watershed Science & Health, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, People's Republic of China; Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Zheng Chen
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Watershed Science & Health, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, People's Republic of China; School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Tan Kah Kee College, Xiamen University, Zhangzhou 363105, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Tremblay PL, Xu M, Chen Y, Zhang T. Nonmetallic Abiotic-Biological Hybrid Photocatalyst for Visible Water Splitting and Carbon Dioxide Reduction. iScience 2019; 23:100784. [PMID: 31962238 PMCID: PMC6971392 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.100784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Both artificial photosystems and natural photosynthesis have not reached their full potential for the sustainable conversion of solar energy into specific chemicals. A promising approach is hybrid photosynthesis combining efficient, non-toxic, and low-cost abiotic photocatalysts capable of water splitting with metabolically versatile non-photosynthetic microbes. Here, we report the development of a water-splitting enzymatic photocatalyst made of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) coupled with H2O2-degrading catalase and its utilization for hybrid photosynthesis with the non-photosynthetic bacterium Ralstonia eutropha for bioplastic production. The g-C3N4-catalase system has an excellent solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 3.4% with a H2 evolution rate up to 55.72 μmol h−1 while evolving O2 stoichiometrically. The hybrid photosynthesis system built with the water-spitting g-C3N4-catalase photocatalyst doubles the production of the bioplastic polyhydroxybutyrate by R. eutropha from CO2 and increases it by 1.84-fold from fructose. These results illustrate how synergy between abiotic non-metallic photocatalyst, enzyme, and bacteria can augment solar-to-multicarbon chemical conversion. H2O2-degrading enzymes from R. eutropha enable visible-light water splitting by C3N4 C3N4 coupled with bovine catalase has a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 3.4% C3N4-catalase increases CO2 conversion into bioplastic under light by R. eutropha Heterotrophic bioplastic production by R. eutropha is also improved by C3N4-catalase
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pier-Luc Tremblay
- State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Mengying Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Yiming Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Tian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Zhao TT, Feng GH, Chen W, Song YF, Dong X, Li GH, Zhang HJ, Wei W. Artificial bioconversion of carbon dioxide. CHINESE JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/s1872-2067(19)63408-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
16
|
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]
|
17
|
Perfluorocarbon nanoemulsion promotes the delivery of reducing equivalents for electricity-driven microbial CO2 reduction. Nat Catal 2019. [DOI: 10.1038/s41929-019-0264-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
|
18
|
Jiang Y, May HD, Lu L, Liang P, Huang X, Ren ZJ. Carbon dioxide and organic waste valorization by microbial electrosynthesis and electro-fermentation. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 149:42-55. [PMID: 30419466 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.10.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Carbon-rich waste materials (solid, liquid, or gaseous) are largely considered to be a burden on society due to the large capital and energy costs for their treatment and disposal. However, solid and liquid organic wastes have inherent energy and value, and similar as waste CO2 gas they can be reused to produce value-added chemicals and materials. There has been a paradigm shift towards developing a closed loop, biorefinery approach for the valorization of these wastes into value-added products, and such an approach enables a more carbon-efficient and circular economy. This review quantitatively analyzes the state-of-the-art of the emerging microbial electrochemical technology (MET) platform and provides critical perspectives on research advancement and technology development. The review offers side-by-side comparison between microbial electrosynthesis (MES) and electro-fermentation (EF) processes in terms of principles, key performance metrics, data analysis, and microorganisms. The study also summarizes all the processes and products that have been developed using MES and EF to date for organic waste and CO2 valorization. It finally identifies the technological and economic potentials and challenges on future system development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yong Jiang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, PR China; Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China
| | - Harold D May
- Hollings Marine Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Lu Lu
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Peng Liang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, PR China.
| | - Xia Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, PR China
| | - Zhiyong Jason Ren
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Liu C, Nangle SN, Colón BC, Silver PA, Nocera DG. 13C-Labeling the carbon-fixation pathway of a highly efficient artificial photosynthetic system. Faraday Discuss 2018; 198:529-537. [PMID: 28294218 DOI: 10.1039/c6fd00231e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Interfacing the CO2-fixing microorganism, Ralstonia eutropha, to the energy derived from hydrogen produced by water splitting is a viable approach to achieving renewable CO2 reduction at high efficiencies. We employ 13C-labeling to report on the nature of CO2 reduction in the inorganic water splitting|R. eutropha hybrid system. Accumulated biomass in a reactor under a 13C-enriched CO2 atmosphere may be sampled at different time points during CO2 reduction. Converting the sampled biomass into gaseous CO2 allows the 13C/12C ratio to be determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. After 2 hours of inoculation and the initiation of water splitting, the microbes adapted and began to convert CO2 into biomass. The observed time evolution of the 13C/12C ratio in accumulated biomass is consistent with a Monod model for carbon fixation. Carbon dioxide produced by catabolism was found to be minimal. This rapid response of the bacteria to a hydrogen input and to subsequent CO2 reduction at high efficiency are beneficial to achieving artificial photosynthesis for the storage of renewable energy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chong Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Katuri KP, Kalathil S, Ragab A, Bian B, Alqahtani MF, Pant D, Saikaly PE. Dual-Function Electrocatalytic and Macroporous Hollow-Fiber Cathode for Converting Waste Streams to Valuable Resources Using Microbial Electrochemical Systems. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2018; 30:e1707072. [PMID: 29707854 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201707072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Dual-function electrocatalytic and macroporous hollow-fiber cathodes are recently proposed as promising advanced material for maximizing the conversion of waste streams such as wastewater and waste CO2 to valuable resources (e.g., clean freshwater, energy, value-added chemicals) in microbial electrochemical systems. The first part of this progress report reviews recent developments in this type of cathode architecture for the simultaneous recovery of clean freshwater and energy from wastewater. Critical insights are provided on suitable materials for fabricating these cathodes, as well as addressing some challenges in the fabrication process with proposed strategies to overcome them. The second and complementary part of the progress report highlights how the unique features of this cathode architecture can solve one of the intrinsic bottlenecks (gas-liquid mass transfer limitation) in the application of microbial electrochemical systems for CO2 reduction to value-added products. Strategies to further improve the availability of CO2 to microbial catalysts on the cathode are proposed. The importance of understanding microbe-cathode interactions, as well as electron transfer mechanisms at the cathode-cell and cell-cell interface to better design dual-function macroporous hollow-fiber cathodes, is critically discussed with insights on how the choice of material is important in facilitating direct electron transfer versus mediated electron transfer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krishna P Katuri
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shafeer Kalathil
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ala'a Ragab
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bin Bian
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Manal F Alqahtani
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Deepak Pant
- Separation and Conversion Technology, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, Mol, 2400, Belgium
| | - Pascal E Saikaly
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
|
22
|
Freestanding and flexible graphene papers as bioelectrochemical cathode for selective and efficient CO 2 conversion. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9107. [PMID: 28831188 PMCID: PMC5567247 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09841-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
During microbial electrosynthesis (MES) driven CO2 reduction, cathode plays a vital role by donating electrons to microbe. Here, we exploited the advantage of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) paper as novel cathode material to enhance electron transfer between the cathode and microbe, which in turn facilitated CO2 reduction. The acetate production rate of Sporomusa ovata-driven MES reactors was 168.5 ± 22.4 mmol m−2 d−1 with RGO paper cathodes poised at −690 mV versus standard hydrogen electrode. This rate was approximately 8 fold faster than for carbon paper electrodes of the same dimension. The current density with RGO paper cathodes of 2580 ± 540 mA m−2 was increased 7 fold compared to carbon paper cathodes. This also corresponded to a better cathodic current response on their cyclic voltammetric curves. The coulombic efficiency for the electrons conversion into acetate was 90.7 ± 9.3% with RGO paper cathodes and 83.8 ± 4.2% with carbon paper cathodes, respectively. Furthermore, more intensive cell attachment was observed on RGO paper electrodes than on carbon paper electrodes with confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. These results highlight the potential of RGO paper as a promising cathode for MES from CO2.
Collapse
|
23
|
Aryal N, Tremblay PL, Lizak DM, Zhang T. Performance of different Sporomusa species for the microbial electrosynthesis of acetate from carbon dioxide. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2017; 233:184-190. [PMID: 28279911 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.02.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2017] [Revised: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/25/2017] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Sporomusa ovata DSM-2662 produces high rate of acetate during microbial electrosynthesis (MES) by reducing CO2 with electrons coming from a cathode. Here, we investigated other Sporomusa for MES with cathode potential set at -690mVvsSHE to establish if this capacity is conserved among this genus and to identify more performant strains. S. ovata DSM-2663 produced acetate 1.8-fold faster than S. ovata DSM-2662. On the contrary, S. ovata DSM-3300 was 2.7-fold slower whereas Sporomusa aerivorans had no MES activity. These results indicate that MES performance varies among Sporomusa. During MES, electron transfer from cathode to microbes often occurs via H2. To establish if efficient coupling between H2 oxidation and CO2 reduction may explain why specific acetogens are more productive MES catalysts, the metabolisms of the investigated Sporomusa were characterized under H2:CO2. Results suggest that other phenotypic traits besides the capacity to oxidize H2 efficiently are involved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nabin Aryal
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Pier-Luc Tremblay
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Dawid M Lizak
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Tian Zhang
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Tremblay PL, Angenent LT, Zhang T. Extracellular Electron Uptake: Among Autotrophs and Mediated by Surfaces. Trends Biotechnol 2017; 35:360-371. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2016.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Revised: 10/09/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
25
|
Zhang T, Tremblay PL. Hybrid photosynthesis-powering biocatalysts with solar energy captured by inorganic devices. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2017; 10:249. [PMID: 29093753 PMCID: PMC5663055 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-017-0943-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The biological reduction of CO2 driven by sunlight via photosynthesis is a crucial process for life on earth. However, the conversion efficiency of solar energy to biomass by natural photosynthesis is low. This translates in bioproduction processes relying on natural photosynthesis that are inefficient energetically. Recently, hybrid photosynthetic technologies with the potential of significantly increasing the efficiency of solar energy conversion to products have been developed. In these systems, the reduction of CO2 into biofuels or other chemicals of interest by biocatalysts is driven by solar energy captured with inorganic devices such as photovoltaic cells or photoelectrodes. Here, we explore hybrid photosynthesis and examine the strategies being deployed to improve this biotechnology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tian Zhang
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070 People’s Republic of China
| | - Pier-Luc Tremblay
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070 People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Yishai O, Lindner SN, Gonzalez de la Cruz J, Tenenboim H, Bar-Even A. The formate bio-economy. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2016; 35:1-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2016.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
27
|
Aryal N, Halder A, Tremblay PL, Chi Q, Zhang T. Enhanced microbial electrosynthesis with three-dimensional graphene functionalized cathodes fabricated via solvothermal synthesis. Electrochim Acta 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2016.09.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
|
28
|
Zhang T, Tremblay PL. Editorial: Current Challenges and Future Perspectives on Emerging Bioelectrochemical Technologies. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:860. [PMID: 27375582 PMCID: PMC4896947 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tian Zhang
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of DenmarkHørsholm, Denmark; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Science, Wuhan University of TechnologyWuhan, China
| | - Pier-Luc Tremblay
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of DenmarkHørsholm, Denmark; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Science, Wuhan University of TechnologyWuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Liu C, Colón BC, Ziesack M, Silver PA, Nocera DG. Water splitting-biosynthetic system with CO₂ reduction efficiencies exceeding photosynthesis. Science 2016; 352:1210-3. [PMID: 27257255 DOI: 10.1126/science.aaf5039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 461] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Artificial photosynthetic systems can store solar energy and chemically reduce CO2 We developed a hybrid water splitting-biosynthetic system based on a biocompatible Earth-abundant inorganic catalyst system to split water into molecular hydrogen and oxygen (H2 and O2) at low driving voltages. When grown in contact with these catalysts, Ralstonia eutropha consumed the produced H2 to synthesize biomass and fuels or chemical products from low CO2 concentration in the presence of O2 This scalable system has a CO2 reduction energy efficiency of ~50% when producing bacterial biomass and liquid fusel alcohols, scrubbing 180 grams of CO2 per kilowatt-hour of electricity. Coupling this hybrid device to existing photovoltaic systems would yield a CO2 reduction energy efficiency of ~10%, exceeding that of natural photosynthetic systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chong Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637371 Singapore
| | - Brendan C Colón
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Marika Ziesack
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Pamela A Silver
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Daniel G Nocera
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Liew F, Martin ME, Tappel RC, Heijstra BD, Mihalcea C, Köpke M. Gas Fermentation-A Flexible Platform for Commercial Scale Production of Low-Carbon-Fuels and Chemicals from Waste and Renewable Feedstocks. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:694. [PMID: 27242719 PMCID: PMC4862988 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 206] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an immediate need to drastically reduce the emissions associated with global fossil fuel consumption in order to limit climate change. However, carbon-based materials, chemicals, and transportation fuels are predominantly made from fossil sources and currently there is no alternative source available to adequately displace them. Gas-fermenting microorganisms that fix carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) can break this dependence as they are capable of converting gaseous carbon to fuels and chemicals. As such, the technology can utilize a wide range of feedstocks including gasified organic matter of any sort (e.g., municipal solid waste, industrial waste, biomass, and agricultural waste residues) or industrial off-gases (e.g., from steel mills or processing plants). Gas fermentation has matured to the point that large-scale production of ethanol from gas has been demonstrated by two companies. This review gives an overview of the gas fermentation process, focusing specifically on anaerobic acetogens. Applications of synthetic biology and coupling gas fermentation to additional processes are discussed in detail. Both of these strategies, demonstrated at bench-scale, have abundant potential to rapidly expand the commercial product spectrum of gas fermentation and further improve efficiencies and yields.
Collapse
|
31
|
Zhou H, Yan R, Zhang D, Fan T. Challenges and Perspectives in Designing Artificial Photosynthetic Systems. Chemistry 2016; 22:9870-85. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201600289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhou
- State Key lab of metal matrix composites; Shanghai Jiaotong University; 800 Dongchuan Road Shanghai 200240 P. R. China
| | - Runyu Yan
- State Key lab of metal matrix composites; Shanghai Jiaotong University; 800 Dongchuan Road Shanghai 200240 P. R. China
| | - Di Zhang
- State Key lab of metal matrix composites; Shanghai Jiaotong University; 800 Dongchuan Road Shanghai 200240 P. R. China
| | - Tongxiang Fan
- State Key lab of metal matrix composites; Shanghai Jiaotong University; 800 Dongchuan Road Shanghai 200240 P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Affiliation(s)
- Volker Müller
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Bioenergetics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| |
Collapse
|