Housing of electrosynthetic biofilms using a roll-up carbon veil electrode increases CO2 conversion and faradaic efficiency in microbial electrosynthesis cells

Abstract

Electrode-driven microbial electron transfer enables the conversion of CO₂ into multi-carbon compounds. The electrosynthetic biofilms grow slowly on the surface and are highly susceptible to operational influences, such as hydrodynamic shear stress. In this study, a cylindrical roll-up carbon felt electrode was developed as a novel strategy to protect biofilms from shear stress within the reactor. The fabricated electrode allowed hydrogen bubble formation inside the structure, which enabled microbes to uptake hydrogen and convert CO₂ to multi-carbon organic compounds. The roll-up electrode exhibited faster start-up and biofilm formation than the conventional linear shape carbon felt. The acetate yield and cathodic faradaic efficiency increased by 80% and 34%, respectively, and the bioelectrochemical stability was improved significantly. The roll-up structure increased biofilm development per unit electrode surface by three to five-fold. The roll-up configuration improved biofilm formation on the electrode, which enhanced the performance of microbial electrosynthesis-based CO₂ valorization.

Keywords: Acetate production; Dense biofilm; Faradaic efficiency; Roll-up carbon; Shear stress.