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Study of Electrochemical Reduction of CO 2 for Future Use in Secondary Microbial Electrochemical Technologies
Author(s) -
Gimkiewicz Carla,
Hegner Richard,
Gutensohn Mareike F.,
Koch Christin,
Harnisch Falk
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201601675
Subject(s) - formate , electrochemistry , microbial fuel cell , renewable energy , nanotechnology , chemistry , materials science , electrode , catalysis , organic chemistry , electrical engineering , anode , engineering
Abstract The fluctuation and decentralization of renewable energy have triggered the search for respective energy storage and utilization. At the same time, a sustainable bioeconomy calls for the exploitation of CO 2 as feedstock. Secondary microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) allow both challenges to be tackled because the electrochemical reduction of CO 2 can be coupled with microbial synthesis. Because this combination creates special challenges, the electrochemical reduction of CO 2 was investigated under conditions allowing microbial conversions, that is, for their future use in secondary METs. A reproducible electrodeposition procedure of In on a graphite backbone allowed a systematic study of formate production from CO 2 with a high number of replicates. Coulomb efficiencies and formate production rates of up to 64.6±6.8 % and 0.013±0.002 mmol formate h −1 cm −2 , respectively, were achieved. Electrode redeposition, reusability, and long‐term performance were investigated. Furthermore, the effect of components used in microbial media, that is, yeast extract, trace elements, and phosphate salts, on the electrode performance was addressed. The results demonstrate that the integration of electrochemical reduction of CO 2 in secondary METs can become technologically relevant.