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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Byung-Yong Kim, Swee Su Lim
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© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. The cathode reaction is one of the most important limiting factors in bioelectrochemical systems even with precious metal catalysts. Since aerobic bacteria have a much higher affinity for oxygen than any known abiotic cathode catalysts, the performance of a microbial fuel cell can be improved through the use of electrochemically-active oxygen-reducing bacteria acting as the cathode catalyst. These consume electrons available from the electrode to reduce the electron acceptors present, probably conserving energy for growth. Anaerobic bacteria reduce protons to hydrogen in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs). These aerobic and anaerobic bacterial activities resemble those catalyzing microbially-influenced corrosion (MIC). Sulfate-reducing bacteria and homoacetogens have been identified in MEC biocathodes. For sustainable operation, microbes in a biocathode should conserve energy during such electron-consuming reactions probably by similar mechanisms as those occurring in MIC. A novel hypothesis is proposed here which explains how energy can be conserved by microbes in MEC biocathodes.
Author(s): Kim BH, Lim SS, Daud WRW, Gadd GM, Chang IS
Publication type: Review
Publication status: Published
Journal: Bioresource Technology
Year: 2015
Volume: 190
Pages: 395-401
Print publication date: 01/08/2015
Online publication date: 30/04/2015
Acceptance date: 24/04/2015
ISSN (print): 0960-8524
ISSN (electronic): 1873-2976
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2015.04.084
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.04.084
PubMed id: 25976915
