title: Tailoring Microbial Electrochemical Cells for Production of Hydrogen Peroxide at High Concentrations and Efficiencies.
abstract: A microbial peroxide producing cell (MPPC) for H2O2production at the cathode was systematically optimized with minimal energy input. First, the stability of H2O2was evaluated using different catholytes, membranes, and catalyst materials. On the basis of these results, a flat-plate MPPC fed continuously using 200 mm NaCl catholyte at a 4 h hydraulic retention time was designed and operated, producing H2O2for 18 days. H2O2concentration of 3.1 g L-1H2O2with 1.1 Wh g-1H2O2power input was achieved in the MPPC. The high H2O2concentration was a result of the optimum materials selected. The small energy input was largely the result of the 0.5 cm distance between the anode and cathode, which reduced ionic transport losses. However, >50 % of operational overpotentials were due to the 4.5-5 pH unit difference between the anode and cathode chambers. The results demonstrate that a MPPC can continuously produce H2O2at high concentration by selecting compatible materials and appropriate operating conditions.
authors.affiliation: Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, P.O. Box 875701, Tempe, AZ, 85287-5701, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle N
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2258-904X
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Young
authors.affiliation: Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, P.O. Box 875701, Tempe, AZ, 85287-5701, USA.
authors.forename: Mikaela J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Links
authors.affiliation: Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, P.O. Box 875701, Tempe, AZ, 85287-5701, USA.|School of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29625-6510, USA.
authors.forename: Sudeep C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Popat
authors.affiliation: Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, P.O. Box 875701, Tempe, AZ, 85287-5701, USA.
authors.forename: Bruce E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Rittmann
authors.affiliation: Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, P.O. Box 875701, Tempe, AZ, 85287-5701, USA.
authors.forename: César I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Torres
mesh_terms: D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources / Q000382:microbiology / Q000639:trends; D002384:Catalysis; D004566:Electrodes; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
chemical_list: D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide
keywords: anode-respiring bacteria; cathodes; electrochemistry; hydrogen peroxide; microbial electrochemical cells