Enhanced electron transfer on microbial electrosynthesis biocathode by polypyrrole-coated acetogens

Abstract

Extracellular electron transfer (EET) is a significant pathway to transport electrons between bacteria and electrode in microbial electrosynthesis systems (MESs). To enhance EET in the MES, a high-conductivity polymer, polypyrrole (PPy), was coated on the surface of mixed culture acetogens in situ and the PPy-coated bacteria were inoculated on the cathode of MES. The charge transfer resistance of PPy-coated biocathode was 33%-70% of that with PPy-uncoated. Acetate production rate and Faradic efficiency in PPy-coated biocathodes increased by 3 to 6 times. After 960 h operation, Acetobacterium, Desulfovibrio, and Acinetobacter dominate the community on the coated and uncoated biocathode. Quinone loop and NADH dehydrogenase to ubiquinone were involved in electron transfer pathway of biocathode and stimulated by PPy coating. Low-level expression of C-type cytochromes on biocathode indicated its less important role in inward EET. The study provided useful information for applications of high-conductivity chemicals in microbial electrosynthesis.

Keywords: Biocathode; Extracellular electron transfer; Microbial electrosynthesis system; Polypyrrole-coated acetogens.