Hydrogenophilic dechlorinating bacteria are till now known for their ability to use hydrogen as electron donor to respire chlorinated solvents. Here we show that, in the absence of chlorinated compounds to be reduced, they can also carry the reverse reaction towards hydrogen generation (from water reduction), by using a graphite electrode as direct electron donor. With the electrode potential set at -750 mV (vs. SHE), such bacteria promptly catalyzed the rate of hydrogen production, nearly 3 times more than in abiotic controls, in spite of no previous acclimation in electrochemical systems. Similar hydrogen production rates were obtained with the electrode potential set at -450 mV (vs. SHE), but in the presence of a low-potential redox mediator (methyl viologen). These results pinpoint the potential of dechlorinating bacteria as novel hydrogen catalysts for possible application in new energy technologies.
Hydrogen generation with hydrogenophilic dechlorinating bacteria in bioelectrochemical systems / Villano, M; Aulenta, Federico; DE BONIS, L; Rossetti, S; Majone, M.. - (2010). (Intervento presentato al convegno American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting tenutosi a San Francisco, CA; United States).
Hydrogen generation with hydrogenophilic dechlorinating bacteria in bioelectrochemical systems
AULENTA, Federico;
2010
Abstract
Hydrogenophilic dechlorinating bacteria are till now known for their ability to use hydrogen as electron donor to respire chlorinated solvents. Here we show that, in the absence of chlorinated compounds to be reduced, they can also carry the reverse reaction towards hydrogen generation (from water reduction), by using a graphite electrode as direct electron donor. With the electrode potential set at -750 mV (vs. SHE), such bacteria promptly catalyzed the rate of hydrogen production, nearly 3 times more than in abiotic controls, in spite of no previous acclimation in electrochemical systems. Similar hydrogen production rates were obtained with the electrode potential set at -450 mV (vs. SHE), but in the presence of a low-potential redox mediator (methyl viologen). These results pinpoint the potential of dechlorinating bacteria as novel hydrogen catalysts for possible application in new energy technologies.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.