Bioelectrochemical analyses of a thermophilic biocathode catalyzing sustainable hydrogen production

Biocathode in microbial electrolysis cell; present status and future prospects

“…Cyclic voltammetry proved catalytic ability of the anode for acetate oxidation, and higher catalytic activity of the cathode to produce H 2 in comparison to the anode in the single-chambered experiments. By performing further analysis in the twochambered setup, large cathodic currents were obtained at the potential of À0.65 V in C-C design compared to small amounts recorded in the A-C design at the potential of less than À0.7 V [37]. Similar to previous comparable studies [15], lower cathodic H 2 recovery was obtained for the membraneless setup (20%) compared to the two-chambered biocathode MEC (70%).…”

“…However, it was unclear whether any biocatalytic (biocathode) activity by microorganisms in one compartment of MEC was present in this research [15]. Fu et al [37] investigated the biocatalytic activity of the cathode by developing one and twochambered biocathode MEC without polarity reversal (Categories III and I, respectively; Fig. 4ii).…”

Hydrogen evolution catalyzed by viable and non-viable cells on biocathodes

“…A dechlorinating consortium on a biocathode at a more positive set potential of À0.75 V produced 1400 nmol d À1 mL À1 (2.7 m 2 /m 3 ) of hydrogen gas [22]. At a set potential (À0.65 V) only slightly larger than that used here, Fu et al [21] reported that a mixed thermophilic consortium, incubated at 55 C, produced 600 nmol d À1 mL À1 (26.6 m 2 /m 3 ). These hydrogen production rates were calculated over much shorter periods of time (10 he12 d) than the 5 months of operation examined here.…”

“…were also identified as the dominant species in a mixed community biocathode producing hydrogen at an electrode potential of À0.7 V vs. SHE [18]. Other recent studies observed hydrogen production using mixed culture biocathodes under mesophilic [19,20] and thermophilic [21] conditions, and using a dechlorinating consortium [22].…”

Electrode as sole electrons donor for enhancing decolorization of azo dye by an isolated Pseudomonas sp. WYZ-2

“…This potential was chosen because that low potential was conducive to provide electrons. The cathode potential could reach À0.8 V, and even lower than À1 V in the previous studies (Jeremiasse et al, 2010;Fu et al, 2013).…”