High product specificity and production rate are regarded as key success parameters for large-scale applicability of a (bio)chemical reaction technology. Here, we report significant performance enhancement in acetate formation from CO2, reaching comparable productivity levels industrial fermentation processes (volumetric yield). A biocathode current density -102 ± 1 m(-2) an acetic acid 685 30 (g day(-1)) have been achieved this study. recoveries 94 2% the CO2 supplied sole carbon source 100...

Enhanced performance for the bioelectrosynthesis of acetate from carbon dioxide is achieved with a new three-dimensional CNT-modified scaffold electrode.

Current challenges for microbial electrosynthesis include the production of higher value chemicals than acetate, at high rates, using cheap electrode materials. We demonstrate here continuous, biofilm-driven acetate (C2), n butyrate (nC4), and n-caproate (nC6) from sole CO2 on unmodified carbon felt electrodes. No other organics were detected. This is first quantified continuous demonstration an as electron donor. During nutrients supply mode a thick biofilm was developed covering whole...

The enhancement of microbial electrosynthesis (MES) acetate from CO2 to performance levels that could potentially support practical implementations the technology must go through optimization key design and operating conditions. We report higher proton availability drastically increases production rate, with pH 5.2 found be optimal, which will likely suppress methanogenic activity without inhibitor addition. Applied cathode potential as low -1.1 V versus SHE still achieved 99% electron...

Abstract Electron‐transfer pathways occurring in biocathodes are still unknown. We demonstrate here that high rates of acetate production by microbial electrosynthesis mainly driven an electron flux from the electrode to carbon dioxide, via biologically induced hydrogen, with (99±1) % recovery into acetate. Nevertheless, is shown occur exclusively within biofilm. The producers, putatively Acetoanaerobium , showed remarkable ability consume a H 2 before it could escape At zero wastage gas,...

Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) allows carbon-waste and renewable electricity valorization into industrially-relevant chemicals. MES has received much attention in laboratory-scale research, although a techno-economic-driven roadmap towards validation large-scale demonstration of the technology is lacking. In this work, two main integrated systems were modelled, centered on (1) MES-from-CO2 (2) from short-chain carboxylates, both for production pure, or mixture of, acetate, n–butyrate,...

We demonstrate here the long-term continuous bioelectrochemical chain elongation from CO2 and acetate by using a mixed microbial culture. The role of applied current (3.1 vs. 9.3 A m−2) on performance was investigated. main product n-butyrate which continuously produced over time. Trace amounts propionate n-caproate were also produced, but no alcohols detected during whole course experiment (163 days). Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) systems controlled with more (9.3 Am−2) showed butyrate...

ConspectusCarbon-based products are crucial to our society, but their production from fossil-based carbon is unsustainable. Production pathways based on the reuse of CO2 will achieve ultimate sustainability. Furthermore, costs renewable electricity decreasing at such a high rate, that expected be main energy carrier 2040 onward. Electricity-driven novel processes convert into chemicals need further developed. Microbial electrosynthesis biocathode-driven process in which electroactive...

The selective and high-rate microbial electrosynthesis of a valuable molecule is favoured from an economic perspective. We demonstrate here that increasing selectivity towards n-butyrate n-caproate over acetate, while maintaining high production rate electron recovery, achievable by adjusting the CO2 feeding strategy hydraulic retention time. show loading (173 L d−1) long time (14 days) triggers bioelectrochemical chain elongation to (53.6 ± 4.1%C), whereas lower (8.6 does not, even with HRT...

Sustainable production of carbon-based products is urgently needed.A novel directed flow-through microbial electrosynthesis (MES) reactor was designed and characterized for carbon dioxide (CO2) conversion to C2–C6 carboxylates.Three-times denser biofilm, volumetric current density, productivity were achieved compared with the state art.Biomass-specific rates maintained over more than 200 days, yet still an order magnitude lower that by acetogens in syngas fermentation.Volumetric MES...

Soil moisture monitoring is essential for a variety of applications including agriculture, forestry, and environmental monitoring. However, soil sensors may be expensive require batteries or other energy sources, making them unsuitable remote off-grid locations farmers. Improper e-waste management short-lived sensing components can reveal the contradictions solutions aimed at sustainability, which also degrade health. Therefore, development low-cost, off-grid, biodegradable in-situ system...

Up to now, computational modeling of microbial electrosynthesis (MES) has been underexplored, but is necessary achieve breakthrough understanding the process-limiting steps. Here, a general framework for kinetics in MES reactor presented. A thermodynamic approach used link metabolism electrochemical reduction an intracellular mediator, allowing predict cellular growth and current consumption. The model accounts CO 2 acetate, further elongation n-butyrate n-caproate. Simulation results were...

The autotrophic reduction of sulfate can be sustained with a cathode as the only electron donor in bioelectrochemical systems (BES).

Abstract Valorization of organic residual streams that produce short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) require an energetic electron donor to form more valuable elongated products. By microbial electrosynthesis such electrons is supplied by electrode. Here we show bioelectrochemical chain elongation (BCE) SCFA was steered high selective product formation efficiencies depending on the acid. n‐ Butyrate, valerate, caproate were in different experimental conditions formed at respectively 94.1, 95.4 and...

Doping activated carbon biocathodes with nickel improves microbial electrosynthesis due to both electrocatalytic (hydrogen production) and non-catalytic effects.

Microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) employ microorganisms utilizing solid-state electrodes as either electron sink or source, such in microbial electrosynthesis (MES). METs reaction rate is traditionally normalized to the electrode dimensions electrolyte volume, but should also be biomass amount present system at any given time. In biofilm-based systems, a major challenge determine non-destructive manner, especially systems operated continuous mode and using 3D electrodes. We...

Abstract Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) can be converted to valuable products using different catalysts, including metal or biological catalysts (e. g. microorganisms). Some formed by electrocatalysts further utilized microorganisms, and therefore catalytic cooperation envisioned. To prevent cumbersome separations, it is beneficial when both catalyst work under the same conditions, at least in reaction medium. Here, we will show that a formate‐producing copper electrocatalyst function Furthermore,...

Electrocatalytic metals and microorganisms can be combined for CO2 conversion in microbial electrosynthesis (MES). However, a systematic investigation on the nature of interactions between MES is still lacking. To investigate this nature, we integrated copper electrocatalyst, converting to formate, with microorganisms, acetate. A co-catalytic (i. e. metabolic) relationship was evident, as up 140 mg L-1 formate produced solely by oxide, while also evidently consumed producing Due...

Cathode overpotential is a key factor in the energy efficiency of bioelectrochemical systems. In this study aim to demonstrate role applied current density and electrode storage capacity on cathode overpotential. To do so, eight reactors using capacitive granular activated carbon as material were operated. Four controlled at -5 A m-2 four -10 m-2. Additionally, evaluate capacity, weekly charge/discharge tests conducted for half each density. Results show that potential high -0.50 V vs....

Abstract The conversion of organic waste streams into carboxylic acids as renewable feedstocks results in relatively dilute aqueous streams. Carboxylic can be recovered from such by using liquid–liquid extraction. Hydrophobic ionic liquids (ILs) are novel extractants that used for acid recovery. To integrate these ILs situ several biotechnological applications, the IL must compatible with bioprocesses. Herein [P 666,14 ][oleate] and [N 8888 were synthesized water their bioprocess...