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Title: Magnetite nanoparticle anchored graphene cathode enhances microbial electrosynthesis of polyhydroxybutyrate by Rhodopseudomonas palustris TIE-1

Journal Article · · Nanotechnology

Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is an emerging technology that can convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into value-added organic carbon compounds using electrons supplied from a cathode. However, MES is affected by low product formation due to limited extracellular electron uptake by microbes. Herein, a novel cathode was developed from chemically synthesized magnetite nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite (rGO-MNPs). This nanocomposite was electrochemically deposited on carbon felt (CF/rGO-MNPs), and the modified material was used as a cathode for MES production. The bioplastic, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) produced byRhodopseudomonas palustrisTIE-1 (TIE-1), was measured from reactors with modified and unmodified cathodes. Results demonstrate that the magnetite nanoparticle anchored graphene cathode (CF/rGO-MNPs) exhibited higher PHB production (91.31 ± 0.9 mg l-1). This is ~4.2 times higher than unmodified carbon felt (CF), and 20 times higher than previously reported using graphite. This modified cathode enhanced electron uptake to -11.7 ± 0.1μA cm-2, ~5 times higher than CF cathode (-2.3 ± 0.08μA cm-2). The faradaic efficiency of the modified cathode was ~2 times higher than the unmodified cathode. Electrochemical analysis and scanning electron microscopy suggest that rGO-MNPs facilitated electron uptake and improved PHB production by TIE-1. Overall, the nanocomposite (rGO-MNPs) cathode modification enhances MES efficiency.

Research Organization:
Washington Univ., St. Louis, MO (United States); Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
DOE Contract Number:
SC0014613; AC52-07NA27344
OSTI ID:
1851967
Journal Information:
Nanotechnology, Vol. 32, Issue 3; ISSN 0957-4484
Publisher:
IOP Publishing
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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