• Zanoni, Maria Valnice Boldrin
• Grattieri, Matteo
• Franco, Jefferson Honorio
• Labarile, Rossella
• Trotta, Massimo
• Lacalamita, Dario
• Matteucci, Rosa Maria
• Perrotta, Alberto
• Farinola, Gianluca Maria
• Stufano, Paolo

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>The development of bioelectrochemical systems requires careful selection of both their biotic and abiotic components to obtain sustainable devices. Herein, we report a biophotoelectrode obtained with polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a biopolymer, which purple non-sulphur bacteria produce as an energy stock under specific environmental conditions. The electrode was obtained by casting a mixture composed of PHB and carbon fibers in a 3:2 mass ratio. Following, the composite material was modified with polydopamine and thermally treated to obtain a hydrophilic electrode with improved electrochemical behavior. The bio-based electrode was tested with metabolically active cells of Rhodobacter capsulatus embedded in a biohybrid matrix of polydopamine. The system achieved enhanced catalytic activity under illumination, with an 18-fold increase in photocurrent production compared to biophotoelectrodes based on glassy carbon, reaching a current density of 12 ± 3 µA cm-2, after 30 min of light exposure at +0.32 V. The presented biocompatible electrode provides a sustainable alternative to metal-based and critical raw material-based electrodes for bioelectrochemical systems.</jats:p>

Topics

• density
• Carbon
• composite
• casting
• current density
• Sulphur