We report a solar-powered microbial photoelectrochemical cell (solar-MPC) that can produce sustainable electricity. The device is configured as a dual-chamber electrochemical cell, consisting of a Cu2O nanostructured photocathode and a Shewanella-colonizing anode, for harvesting solar energy and chemical energy, respectively. The photocathode and bioanode are interfaced electrically by matching the redox potentials of outer-membrane cytochromes of Shewanella and the electronic bands of Cu2O. Operated at zero bias, a 25-mL solar-MPC yielded a photocurrent of 0.2 mA under moderate white light illumination, and the current generation was sustained for over 50 hrs under batch-fed conditions. The rate-limiting steps under various illumination intensities were identified. Besides Cu2O/Shewanella, we also explored other semiconductor/electricigens in modified solar-MPC reactors. The challenges and promises of realizing such hybrid energy conversion systems will be discussed. This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

Solar-powered microbial photoelectrochemical cells for self-sustained renewable energy generation

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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