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Bacteria coated cathodes as an in-situ hydrogen evolving platform for microbial electrosynthesis
Elisabet Perona-Vico1, Laura Feliu-Paradeda1, Sebastià Puig2
1Molecular Microbial Ecology Group, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Maria Aurèlia Capmany 40, 17003, Girona, Spain.
Scientific Reports
|November 17, 2020
Summary
Researchers investigated biological hydrogen production using ten bacterial strains in microbial electrosynthesis. Two strains, Desulfovibrio paquesii and Desulfovibrio desulfuricans, significantly enhanced hydrogen evolution rates, showing promise for future bio-cathode platforms.
Area of Science:
- Microbial electrosynthesis
- Biohydrogen production
- Electroactive biofilms
Background:
- Hydrogen is a crucial intermediate for microbial electrosynthesis, mediating carbon dioxide reduction.
- Biocathodes are essential for efficient hydrogen production in these systems.
- Understanding microbial contributions to hydrogen evolution is key for optimizing electrosynthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate biological hydrogen production by selected bacterial strains in biocathodes.
- To evaluate the electroactivity and hydrogen evolution rates of monospecific bacterial biofilms.
- To identify superior strains for developing stable hydrogen production platforms.
Main Methods:
- Operated biocathodes at -1.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl using carbon dioxide as feedstock.
- Selected ten bacterial strains from genera Rhodobacter, Rhodopseudomonas, Rhodocyclus, Desulfovibrio, and Sporomusa.
- Formed monospecific biofilms on carbon cloth cathodes and monitored hydrogen evolution with a microsensor.
Main Results:
- Eight out of ten bacterial strains exhibited electroactivity.
- Hydrogen production rates increased significantly (two to eightfold) compared to abiotic conditions for D. paquesii and D. desulfuricans.
- D. paquesii DSM 16681 showed the highest production rate (45.6 ± 18.8 µM min⁻¹).
Conclusions:
- Significant differences exist among bacterial strains regarding hydrogen production capabilities.
- D. paquesii and D. desulfuricans demonstrate potential for enhanced biohydrogen production.
- These findings are relevant for developing resilient biofilm-coated cathodes for microbial electrosynthesis.
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