Super‐fast Charging Biohybrid Batteries through a Power‐to‐formate‐to‐bioelectricity Process by Combining Microbial Electrochemistry and CO₂ Electrolysis

Abstract

Extensive study on renewable energy storage has been sparked by the growing worries regarding global warming. In this study, incorporating the latest advancements in microbial electrochemistry and electrochemical CO2 reduction, a super‐fast charging biohybrid battery was introduced by using pure formic acid as an energy carrier. CO2 electrolyser with a slim‐catholyte layer and a solid electrolyte layer was built, which made it possible to use affordable anion exchange membranes and electrocatalysts that are readily accessible. The biohybrid battery only required a 3‐minute charging to accomplish an astounding 25‐hour discharging phase. In the power‐to‐formate‐to‐bioelectricity process, bioconversion played a vital role in restricting both the overall Faradaic efficiency and Energy efficiency.The CO2 electrolyser was able to operate continuously for an impressive total duration of 164 hours under Gas Stand‐By model, by storing N2 gas in the extraction chamber during stand‐by periods. Additionally, the electric signal generated during the discharging phase was utilized for monitoring water biotoxicity. Functional genes related to formate metabolism were identified in the bioanode and electrochemically active bacteria were discovered. On the other hand, Paracoccus was predominantly found in the used air cathode. These results advance our current knowledge of exploiting biohybrid technology.

Tandem Acidic CO2 Electrolysis Coupled with Syngas Fermentation: A Two-Stage Process for Producing Medium-Chain Fatty Acids

“…Syngas with varying compositions served as the substrate for mixed culture fermentation in different groups (A1, A2, B1, and B2), all using the same anaerobic sludge as the inoculum in serum bottles . The sludge was originally sourced from the Jinshan wastewater treatment plant in Fuzhou City, China, and its characteristics were detailed in our previous studies .…”

“…The crystal structure was characterized with an X-ray diffractometer (XRD, Bruker D8 Advance, Germany). Microbial characterization of the mixed culture fermentation was carried out, involving DNA extraction, PCR amplification using the 338F/806R primers, and sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform to analyze microbial diversity …”

“…The spatially decoupled hybrid process typically generates C1 compounds, such as CO and formate, as energy carriers due to their high partial current density. , However, formate dissolved in high-concentration catholyte still encounters challenges related to biocompatibility . Solid electrolyte-based CO 2 electrolysis, while capable of producing pure formic acid as an energy carrier with high biocompatibility expectations, experiences a notable reduction in current density attributed to the absence of metal cations and the rise in internal resistance . Consequently, the use of CO as the energy carrier, produced without separation, has attracted increasing attention in the context of tandem CO 2 electrolysis with syngas fermentation. , This approach allows for a high CO 2 reduction rate and current density through electrolytic reduction.…”

Solid Electrolytes for Low-Temperature Carbon Dioxide Valorization: A Review

“…116 superfast charging biohybrid battery, was introduced (Figure 4b). 95 The CO 2 electrolyzer for pure formic acid generation was constructed with a slim-catholyte layer and a solid electrolyte layer to make it possible to use affordable AEM and electrocatalysts that are readily accessible. Additionally, the bioelectricity recovered from the degradation of pure formic acid in a microbial fuel cell can be used as the signal for monitoring water biotoxicity.…”

“…(b) Superfast charging biohybrid battery to close the energy cycle and monitor water biotoxicity. Adapted with permission from ref (copyright 2023 Wiley-VCH). (c) Hybrid electro-biosystem with spatially separate enzyme cascade platform for CO 2 conversion to L-Sorbose.…”