Graphene oxide (GO) is an emerging material for energy and environmental applications, but it has been primarily produced using chemical processes involving high energy consumption and hazardous chemicals. In this study, we report a novel bioelectrochemical method to produce graphene oxide from graphite under ambient conditions without chemical amendments, which also produces organic compounds and H2 as value-added byproducts. This new method relies on microorganisms to catalyze the oxidation of a graphite anode at room temperature and produce bioelectrochemically exfoliated graphite oxide/graphene oxide (BEGO) sheets, CO2, and electrons. The resultant electrons are transferred to a biocathode, where H2 and organic compounds are produced by microbial reduction of protons and CO2, a process known as microbial electrosynthesis (MES). This new method provides a practical and sustainable route for producing graphene materials at low cost, and it may stimulate a new area of research in MES.

Bioelectrochemical oxidation of graphite drives graphene oxide production and electrosynthesis

249th National Meeting (2015)

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