Biologically Assisted One-Step Synthesis of Electrode Materials for Li-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Mn(II)-oxidizing organisms promote the biomineralization of manganese oxides with specific textures, under ambient conditions. Controlling the phases formed and their texture on a larger scale may offer environmentally relevant routes to manganese oxide synthesis, with potential technological applications, for example, for energy storage. In the present study, we sought to use biofilms to promote the formation of electroactive minerals and to control the texture of these biominerals down to the electrode scale (i.e., cm scale). We used the bacterium Pseudomonas putida strain MnB1 which can produce manganese oxide in a biofilm. We characterized the biofilm–mineral assembly using a combination of electron microscopy, synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Under optimized conditions of biofilm growth on the surface of current collectors, mineralogical characterizations revealed the formation of several minerals including a slightly crystalline MnOx birnessite. Electrochemical measurements in a half-cell against Li(0) revealed the electrochemical signature of the Mn4+/Mn3+ redox couple indicating the electroactivity of the biomineralized biofilm without any post-synthesis chemical, physical or thermal treatment. These results provide a better understanding of the properties of biomineralized biofilms and their possible use in designing new routes for one-pot electrode synthesis.

Characterizing Biogenic MnOx Produced by Pseudomonas putida MnB1 and Its Catalytic Activity towards Water Oxidation

“…MnOx is a strong oxidant and has been shown to have applications in catalysis, environmental remediation, and water oxidation [42,44,45]. For example, Guot et al recently reported the growth of manganese oxides on an electrode in order to construct a fuel cell [46]. Using nature as an inspiration for catalysis, we utilized biogenic manganese oxides from Pseudomonas putida strain MnB1 as a Mn(II)-oxidizing organism.…”

Will tomorrow's mineral materials be grown?

“…Au, Ag, Cu, Pd, Mn) are now being considered for a wide range of industrial uses including water remediation, electrochemical energy storage, catalysis, and biomedical applications such as antimicrobial activity, bioimaging and biolabeling (e.g. Egan‐Morriss et al, 2022 ; Galezowski et al, 2023 ; Qin et al, 2020 ). Biomineralization of metallic nanoparticles presents several advantages over chemical or physical methods, such as improved particle stability and biocompatibility, as well as reduced environmental impact (Atalah et al, 2022 ; Carmona et al, 2023 ).…”