Monitoring the development of a microbial electrolysis cell bioanode using an electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance.
In this paper we explored the use of an electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) to follow the development of electrochemically active biofilms on electrodes. With this technique it should be possible to monitor simultaneously the increase in biomass and the current generated by the electrogenic bacteria in the biofilm. We monitored the adsorption and the subsequent growth of bacteria that are used in microbial electrolysis cells, on a gold electrode (anode). After attachment it took about 3h for the bacteria to start to grow and develop a biofilm. Although the current was still relatively low, there is a clear correlation with the increase in biomass. The method is promising for the further investigation of the development of biofilms on electrodes (bioelectrodes).
Kleijn
J Mieke
JM
Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Colloid Science, Wageningen University, Dreijenplein 6, P.O. Box 8038, 6700 EK Wageningen, The Netherlands. mieke.kleijn@wur.nl
Lhuillier
Quentin
Q
Jeremiasse
Adriaan W
AW
D000327:Adsorption; D001419:Bacteria / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development; D018533:Biomass; D004566:Electrodes; D004572:Electrolysis; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D058525:Quartz Crystal Microbalance Techniques; D013997:Time Factors
D006046:Gold