Single cell electron collectors for highly efficient wiring-up electronic abiotic/biotic interfaces

Abstract

By electronically wiring-up living cells with abiotic conductive surfaces, bioelectrochemical systems (BES) harvest energy and synthesize electric-/solar-chemicals with unmatched thermodynamic efficiency. However, the establishment of an efficient electronic interface between living cells and abiotic surfaces is hindered due to the requirement of extremely close contact and high interfacial area, which is quite challenging for cell and material engineering. Herein, we propose a new concept of a single cell electron collector, which is insitu built with an interconnected intact conductive layer on and cross the individual cell membrane. The single cell electron collector forms intimate contact with the cellular electron transfer machinery and maximizes the interfacial area, achieving record-high interfacial electron transfer efficiency and BES performance. Thus, this single cell electron collector provides a superior tool to wire living cells with abiotic surfaces at the single-cell level and adds new dimensions for abiotic/biotic interface engineering.

Bacterial extracellular electron transfer: a powerful route to the green biosynthesis of inorganic nanomaterials for multifunctional applications

“…ultrasonic collapsing, autoclaving and lysozyme lysis) is unavoidable before centrifugal collection [ 90 , 148 ]. Remarkably, given the inherent and interesting features of Shewanella and Geobacter species themselves, a lot of studies have attempted to directly use the MNPs-hybridized cells without additional extraction and purification of MNPs for both bioelectricity production and pollutant removal with satisfactory performance, which not only simplifies the production process but also effectively integrates the merits of inorganic nanoparticles and bacterial cells [ 24 , 34 , 69 , 73 , 146 , 162 , 163 ].…”

“…Except for noble metal nanoparticles, nanosized FeS biosynthesized during the Shewanella biofilm maturation was demonstrated to significantly enhance bioelectricity production as well [ 143 , 144 ], where the biogenic FeS-NPs were regarded as extracellular electron conduits wiring the electron-producing cells to the solid electrode. Very recently, Yu and co-workers proposed a new concept of a single cell electron collector, which was in-situ built with an interconnected intact conductive layer on and cross an individual cell membrane [ 34 ]. The single cell electron collector assembled with biogenic FeS-NPs was proved to achieve a record-high interfacial electron transfer efficiency and electricity production (Fig.…”

“…More interestingly, bacterial EET-driven biosynthesis provokes an interesting tactics of the self-assembling bio-abiotic hybrid composed of bacterial cell and inorganic nanomaterials, which exhibit many novel properties originated from their intimate interractions, leading to broader applications. [ 31 – 34 ] Moreover, with the innovation and development of various biotechnologies represented by synthetic biology, the controllable biosynthesis of nanomaterials with well-defined structures and features by virtue of rationally tailoring the EET pathway becomes feasible.…”

From Microorganism-Based Amperometric Biosensors towards Microbial Fuel Cells

“…Rather, popular bacteria for MFC design is Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, which was also coated with PDA. In study [ 146 ], Yu et.al. report that it is possible to use cell-assisted synthesis for the formation of conducting PDA or using the same bacteria exploit bio mineralization of FeS nanoparticles.…”

Advancement in Benthic Microbial Fuel Cells toward Sustainable Bioremediation and Renewable Energy Production

“…Yu et al [ 101 ] designed bioelectrochemical systems (BES) for harvesting energy by wiring-up living cells with abiotic conductive surfaces. The main challenge is the hindrance of the high interfacial area and close contact for material and cell engineering.…”