title: Production of bioelectricity, bio-hydrogen, high value chemicals and bioinspired nanomaterials by electrochemically active biofilms.
abstract: Microorganisms naturally form biofilms on solid surfaces for their mutual benefits including protection from environmental stresses caused by contaminants, nutritional depletion or imbalances. The biofilms are normally dangerous to human health due to their inherited robustness. On the other hand, a recent study suggested that electrochemically active biofilms (EABs) generated by electrically active microorganisms have properties that can be used to catalyze or control the electrochemical reactions in a range of fields, such as bioenergy production, bioremediation, chemical/biological synthesis, bio-corrosion mitigation and biosensor development. EABs have attracted considerable attraction in bioelectrochemical systems (BESs), such as microbial fuel cells and microbial electrolysis cells, where they act as living bioanode or biocathode catalysts. Recently, it was reported that EABs can be used to synthesize metal nanoparticles and metal nanocomposites. The EAB-mediated synthesis of metal and metal-semiconductor nanocomposites is expected to provide a new avenue for the greener synthesis of nanomaterials with high efficiency and speed than other synthetic methods. This review covers the general introduction of EABs, as well as the applications of EABs in BESs, and the production of bio-hydrogen, high value chemicals and bio-inspired nanomaterials.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Engineering, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongbuk 712-749, Yeungnam University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Shafeer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kalathil
authors.forename: Mohammad Mansoob
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Jintae
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Moo Hwan
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Cho
mesh_terms: D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development; D002384:Catalysis; D004566:Electrodes; D006801:Humans; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D006859:Hydrogen
keywords: Bio-hydrogen; Bioelectricity; Bioinspired nanomaterials; Electrochemically active biofilm; Green chemicals