Bioelectrocatalytic Synthesis: Concepts and Applications

Abstract

Bioelectrocatalytic synthesis is the conversion of electrical energy into value‐added products using biocatalysts. These methods merge the specificity and selectivity of biocatalysis and energy‐related electrocatalysis to address challenges in the sustainable synthesis of pharmaceuticals, commodity chemicals, fuels, feedstocks and fertilizers. However, the specialized experimental setups and domain knowledge for bioelectrocatalysis pose a significant barrier to adoption. This review introduces key concepts of bioelectrosynthetic systems. We provide a tutorial on the methods of biocatalyst utilization, the setup of bioelectrosynthetic cells, and the analytical methods for assessing bioelectrocatalysts. Key applications of bioelectrosynthesis in ammonia production and small‐molecule synthesis are outlined for both enzymatic and microbial systems. This review serves as a necessary introduction and resource for the non‐specialist interested in bioelectrosynthetic research.

Tandem Acidic CO2 Electrolysis Coupled with Syngas Fermentation: A Two-Stage Process for Producing Medium-Chain Fatty Acids

“…In group A1, Sporomusaceae (60.0%) and norank_c__BRH-c20a (14.7%) were predominant. Sporomusaceae includes the species Sporomusa ovata , a well-described acetogen, which was commonly used in previous studies on MES. , In group A2, the dominant genera were Clostridium_sensu_stricto_12 (21.1%), and Oscillibacter (10.7%). Clostridium sensu stricto species have also been identified in previous studies as functional microbes for microbial chain elongation .…”

Solid Electrolytes for Low-Temperature Carbon Dioxide Valorization: A Review

“…On the other hand, microbes exhibit high specificity and selectivity, making them valuable for synthesizing pharmaceuticals, commodity chemicals, fuels, feedstocks, and fertilizers. 105 This synergy between electrocatalysis and microbial metabolism has led to the development of hybrid electro-biosystems, 106−108 opening up promising avenues for efficient production of various high value-added compounds. In fact, the promise of tandem catalysts, tandem electrode structures, and cascade CO 2 RR catalytic systems for sustainable CO 2 conversion has been highlighted very recently, 35,109 whereas the potential of hybrid electrobiosystems has not been fully explored.…”

“…Electrocatalysts have demonstrated the capability to generate C 1 compounds and H 2 with impressive current densities and Faradaic efficiencies. On the other hand, microbes exhibit high specificity and selectivity, making them valuable for synthesizing pharmaceuticals, commodity chemicals, fuels, feedstocks, and fertilizers . This synergy between electrocatalysis and microbial metabolism has led to the development of hybrid electro-biosystems, − opening up promising avenues for efficient production of various high value-added compounds.…”

Enzymatic Galvanic Redox Potentiometry for In Vivo Biosensing

“…In addition to synthetic electrocatalysts such as single-atom catalysts and carbon nanostructures used before, diverse biocatalysts like enzymes might provide great possibilities in the design of selective GRP sensors. − However, the fabrication of an enzyme electrode to output E OC with fast response remains challenging. Despite the fast kinetics of enzymatic catalysis and the electron transfer between the enzyme and mediator, the enzyme electrode outputs E OC in a relatively slow manner, especially for those with a thick enzyme layer on the electrode surface.…”