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Biophotovoltaics: Recent advances and perspectives
Huawei Zhu1, Haowei Wang1, Yanping Zhang2
1CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial Physiological and Metabolic Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
Biotechnology Advances
|January 21, 2023
Summary
Biophotovoltaics (BPV) systems harness photosynthetic microorganisms for clean energy. This review explores methods to improve BPV electrical output by enhancing electron transfer and device design, with synthetic microbial consortia showing promise.
Area of Science:
- Renewable Energy
- Biotechnology
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Biophotovoltaics (BPV) utilize photosynthetic microorganisms for solar energy conversion and electricity generation.
- High internal quantum efficiency in photosynthetic microorganisms is often limited by inefficient extracellular electron transfer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in improving the electrical outputs of Biophotovoltaics (BPV) systems.
- To discuss strategies for enhancing electron extraction and overall BPV performance.
Main Methods:
- Summarizing approaches to redirect intracellular electron transfer.
- Exploring the use of diverse photosynthetic microorganisms.
- Investigating methods to reinforce interfacial electron transfer and optimize device configurations.
- Analyzing strategies for photosynthetic electron extraction.
Main Results:
- Several strategies have been developed to increase BPV electrical outputs.
- Synthetic microbial consortia offer a promising approach to overcome limitations of weak exoelectrogenic activity and mediator cytotoxicity.
- Optimized device design and electron transfer mechanisms are crucial for enhanced performance.
Conclusions:
- Synthetic microbial consortia demonstrate significant potential for enhancing power output and longevity in BPV systems.
- Further research into electron extraction facilitation is needed to improve BPV performance.
- BPV technology holds promise as a sustainable clean power generation method.
Keywords:
BiophotovoltaicsElectron extraction strategyExtracellular electron transferSynthetic microbial consortiaMore Related Videos
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