Читать книгу Biofuel Cells - Группа авторов - Страница 12

Casanova-Moreno Jannu1, Arjona Noé2 and Cercado Bibiana2*

1CONACYT-Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico en Electroquímica S.C., Pedro Escobedo, Mexico

2Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico en Electroquímica S.C., Pedro Escobedo, Mexico

Abstract

Bioelectrocatalysis is the acceleration of reactions that occur on an electrode via a biological component, be it an enzyme, a cellular organelle or a whole cell. Enzymatic reactions on the anode are mainly the oxidation of saccharides and alcohols, while the oxidative metabolism of bacteria is exploited for removal of short-chain organic acids. In the cathode, the main enzyme-controlled reaction is the reduction of dioxygen, while microbial catalysis tends to obtain hydrogen and methane-like energy vectors. One of the challenges in bioelectrocatalysis is the preparation of electrodes. The techniques for immobilization of enzymes and organelles include the use of polymers and composites and the naturallyoccurring adhesion of bacteria to the solid material forming a biofilm on the electrode. Given the importance of the support material, numerous efforts have been directed to modifying materials that improve the adhesion of enzymes and bacteria, as well as electron transfer. The control of electron transfer is performed by the modification of the pH in the medium, the use of mediators, and the application of a potential difference in an electrolytic cell. The applications of electrochemical cells in bioelectrocatalytic operation include energy conversion, enzymatic sensors and gaseous fuel production in microbial bioelectrochemical systems.

Keywords: Bioelectrocatalysis, biofuel cell, enzymatic electrocatalysis, microbial electrocatalysis