Sprayable biofilm – Agarose hydrogels as 3D matrix for enhanced productivity in bioelectrochemical systems

Bio-based energy production utilizing renewable resources can be realized by exoelectrogenic organisms and their application in bioelectrochemical systems (BES). These organisms catalyze the direct conversion of chemical into electrical energy and are already widely used in bioelectronics and biosensing. However, the biofilm-electrode interaction is a factor that limits sufficient space-time-yields for industrial applications. In this study, a hydrogel matrix consisting of agarose fibers was utilized as a scaffold for S. oneidensis cells to improve anodic processes in BES. This synthetic, scalable biofilm reached a higher current density in BES in comparison to naturally formed biofilms. Complemented with carbon nanofibers and riboflavin, the application of this functionalized hydrogel containing S. oneidensis cells led to an overall 9.1-fold increase in current density to 1324 mA m−2 in comparison to 145 mA m−2 for the planktonic control. In addition, the synthetic biofilm can be applied by spraying onto surfaces using a novel spray applicator. The latter allows to apply the biofilm effortless on large surfaces which will facilitate scalability and thus industrial application.

Subjects

Microbiology

Biofilms

Shewanella oneidensis

Bioelectrochemical systems

Hydrogel

Sprayed biofilm

DDC Class

570: Biowissenschaften, Biologie

600: Technik

Funding(s)

Verbundvorhaben: Bioelektrochemisches System zur flexiblen Biogas-Erzeugung; Teilvorhaben 1: Design und Entwicklung von Stämmen und Konsortien für die Katalyse der Anoden- und Kathodenprozesse

Publication version

publishedVersion

Lizenz

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Name

1-s2.0-S2590207522000119-main.pdf

Size

3.16 MB

Format

Adobe PDF

Options

Sprayable biofilm – Agarose hydrogels as 3D matrix for enhanced productivity in bioelectrochemical systems