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At least 415 records · Page 23
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Degradation of Anion Exchange Membranes by Cation Elimination: Impact on Water Uptake, Nanostructure, and Ionic Mobility

Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) are an attractive platform for fuel cell and electrolysis technologies since they enable the use of cheaper, nonplatinum group metal electrodes and components. However, the widespread adoption of AEM-based devices is limited by chemical degradation of the AEM in the highly alkaline medium of operation. Experimental studies report three major pathways of degradation, including substitution (S N 2), elimination (E2), and backbone cleavage. The decline in membrane performance is likely due to a cumulative effect of several pathways, which has proven to be difficult to disentangle through experiments. Here we use coarse-grained molecular simulations to isolate the impact of E2 degradation, where cationic sites are replaced by an alkene group, on AEM water uptake, nanoscale morphology, structure of the ion-conducting channels, water mobility, and ionic conductivity. Our studies focus on the well-studied model AEM polyphenylene oxide with tetraalkylammonium cationic sites (PPO-TMA). We find that about half of the hydrophobic groups resulting from the degradation retract into the hydrophobic domains of the membrane. The reduction in ion exchange capacity (IEC) and the hydrophobicity of the alkene groups decrease both the equilibrium water uptake (%WU) and the number of water molecules per cation (λ) of the membrane. Interestingly, the evolution of λ with the IEC seems to follow that of undegraded PPO-TMA membranes. Additionally, we ascribe this to the similarity between the structure of the degraded monomer and the neutral one in the polymer. We conclude that most of the performance losses originate in the lower hydration of the degraded membrane.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Atomic/molecular layer deposition for energy storage and conversion

Energy storage and conversion systems, including batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, solar cells, and photoelectrochemical water splitting, have played vital roles in the reduction of fossil fuel usage, addressing environmental issues and the development of electric vehicles. The fabrication and surface/interface engineering of electrode materials with refined structures are indispensable for achieving optimal performances for the different energy-related devices. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) and molecular layer deposition (MLD) techniques, the gas-phase thin film deposition processes with self-limiting and saturated surface reactions, have emerged as powerful techniques for surface and interface engineering in energy-related devices due to their exceptional capability of precise thickness control, excellent uniformity and conformity, tunable composition and relatively low deposition temperature. In the past few decades, ALD and MLD have been intensively studied for energy storage and conversion applications with remarkable progress. In this work, we give a comprehensive summary of the development and achievements of ALD and MLD and their applications for energy storage and conversion, including batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, solar cells, and photoelectrochemical water splitting. Moreover, the fundamental understanding of the mechanisms involved in different devices will be deeply reviewed. Furthermore, the large-scale potential of ALD and MLD techniques is discussed and predicted. Finally, we will provide insightful perspectives on future directions for new material design by ALD and MLD and untapped opportunities in energy storage and conversion.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Cascade CO 2 electroreduction enables efficient carbonate-free production of ethylene

CO 2 electroreduction provides a route to convert waste emissions into chemicals such as ethylene (C 2 H 4 ). However, the direct transformation of CO 2 -to-C 2 H 4 suffers from CO 2 loss to carbonate, consuming up to 72% of energy input. A cascade approach—coupling a solid-oxide CO 2 -to-CO electrochemical cell (SOEC) with a CO-to-C 2 H 4 membrane electrode assembly (MEA)—would eliminate CO 2 loss to carbonate. However, this approach requires a CO-to-C 2 H 4 MEA with energy efficiency well beyond demonstrations to date. Focusing on the MEA, in this study we find that an N-tolyl substituted tetrahydro-bipyridine film improves the stabilization of key reaction intermediates, while an SSC ionomer enhances CO transport to the Cu surface, enabling a C 2 H 4 faradaic efficiency of 65% at 150 mA cm –2 for 110 h. Demonstrating a cascade SOEC-MEA approach, we achieve CO 2 -to-C 2 H 4 with a ~48% reduction in energy intensity compared with the direct route. We further reduce the energy intensity by coupling CO electroreduction (CORR) with glucose electrooxidation.

10 SYNTHETIC FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2023

A reversible perovskite air electrode for active and durable oxygen reduction and evolution reactions via the A-site entropy engineering

The performance of reversible solid oxide electrochemical cells (R-SOECs) is largely hindered by the insufficient electroactivity and poor durability of the bifunctional air electrodes, where the oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORR and OER) occur. Here, we report our findings in boosting the electrochemical activity and durability of an air electrode with Pr 0.2 Ba 0.2 Sr 0.2 La 0.2 Ca 0.2 CoO 3-δ (PBSLCC) via an A-site entropy engineering. The PBSLCC electrode shows enhanced oxygen reaction activity and excellent durability compared to binary and ternary double perovskites (PrBaCo 2 O 5+δ and Pr 0.8 Ba 0.8 Ca 0.4 Co 2 O 5+δ , respectively). A low and nearly unchanged area-specific resistance of 0.042Ωcm 2 is achieved at 750 °C during the 225-h stability test. La 0.9 Sr 0.1 Ga 0.8 Mg 0.2 O 3-δ electrolyte-supported cells with the PBSLCC air electrode show remarkable performance at 800 °C, demonstrating a peak power density of 1.2Wcm -2 in the fuel cell mode, and a current density of -1.1 Acm -2 at 1.3 V in the electrolysis mode while maintaining the excellent cycling durability of 228 h at ±0.5 Acm -2 under humidified H 2 (10% H 2 O). A bulk oxygen p-band center model is applied to verify that tailoring of the A-site entropy strongly influences the surface exchange coefficients (k* chem ), leading to higher oxygen reaction activity of PBSLCC than the binary and ternary perovskites. Finally, this study opens a new class of high-entropy perovskites for the rational design of air electrodes for R-SOECs with high activity and durability.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Stabilizing alkaline fuel cells with a niobium-doped brookite titanium dioxide catalyst support

Anion-exchange membrane fuel cells represent a promising and scalable approach for hydrogen energy utilization. However, their development is hindered by the weak bonding between metal catalysts and carbon supports, along with challenges in fabricating electronically/ionically conductive electrodes. Here, we report a composite cathode of Nb-doped brookite TiO 2 nanorods that have robust stability when combined with Pt nanoscale catalysts in an alkaline fuel cell. The composite cathode, fabricated without the addition of an ionomer, delivers a power density of 419 mW cm −2 at a current density of 650 mA cm −2 and a voltage retention of 81% at 100 mA cm −2 after 25 h, substantially outperforming a cathode fabricated from commercial Pt/C. Further investigations of the chemical structure, anion exchange capacity, and mass transfer resistance reveal that a solvent residue derived from N-methylpyrrolidone plays an important role in charge transfer and mass transport in the alkaline fuel cell.

alkaline fuel cell↗
DOE OSTI2022

Scalable Gas Diffusion Electrode Fabrication for Electrochemical CO 2 Reduction Using Physical Vapor Deposition Methods

Electrochemical CO 2 reduction (ECR) promises the replacement of fossil fuels as the source of feedstock chemicals and seasonal storage of renewable energy. While much progress has been made in catalyst development and electrochemical reactor design, few studies have addressed the effect of catalyst integration on device performance. Using a microfluidic gas diffusion electrolyzer, we systematically studied the effect of thickness and the morphology of electron beam (EB) and magnetron-sputtered (MS) Cu catalyst coatings on ECR performance. We observed that EB-Cu outperforms MS-Cu in current density, selectivity, and energy efficiency, with 400 nm thick catalyst coatings performing the best. Additionally, the superior performance of EB-Cu catalysts is assigned to their faceted surface morphology and sharper Cu/gas diffusion layer interface, which increases their hydrophobicity. Tests in a large-scale zero-gap electrolyzer yielded similar product selectivity distributions with an ethylene Faradaic efficiency of 39% at 200 mA/cm 2 , demonstrating the scalability for industrial ECR applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Advances and prospects to achieve high-performing and durable proton-exchange-membrane unitized regenerative fuel cells

Proton-exchange-membrane unitized regenerative fuel cell (PEM-URFC) is a promising energy storage and conversion device for large-scale and long-term applications. Previous research has primarily focused on materials development studies, with performance and durability not evaluated at relevant conditions. Such an approach becomes insufficient for making URFC technology commercially competitive. In this review, we highlight recent progress on high-performing PEM-URFCs, focusing on electrode engineering, key components, and operating approaches that take realistic operating conditions into consideration. Key components of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), including catalyst layer, diffusion media, and membrane, which require different optimization strategies, are discussed in this review.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2023

(Invited) Fuel Cell Component Durability for Million Mile Fuel Cell Trucks

While significant advances have been made and early commercial fuel cell light-duty vehicles (LDVs) are starting to be produced, fuel cells in the heavy-duty-vehicle (HDV) transportation sector (including trucks, long-haul semitrailers, maritime, trains, etc.) are nascent, despite the fact that advantages of fuel cells compared to both diesel and electric powertrains are very compelling in terms of emissions, charging time, efficiency, power-to-weight ratio, among others. However, the fuel-cell technology for HDVs requires a paradigm shift in fuel-cell research and development compared to LDVs, where the emphasis becomes efficiency and improvements in durability instead of a focus on increased power densities and lower cell costs. Heavy-duty applications require significantly longer vehicle lifetimes (>25,000 hours/1,000,000 miles for heavy-duty trucks), and therefore require improved fuel cell durability compared to light-duty vehicles. In 2020, HFTO formed the Million Mile Fuel Cell Truck Consortium (M2FCT) that includes a core team of five national laboratories to overcome durability and efficiency challenges in PEMFCs for heavy-duty applications with an initial focus on long-haul trucks. While targets and testing protocols have been developed for light-duty vehicles, the same level of targets and testing protocols have not been established for heavy-duty transportation. With operational times of greater than > 25,000 hours required, the need for well-developed accelerated stress tests (ASTs) is amplified. Results from these ASTs demonstrate the need for more durable electrode layers and well-controlled potential variations. Finally, this presentation will provide an overview of the DOE's Fuel Cell R&D approach, highlighting past and current activities, as well as strategies to enable fuel cell competiveness for heavy-duty applications.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Characterizing Sustained Solar-to-Hydrogen Electrocatalysis at Low Cell Potentials Enabled by Crude Glycerol Oxidation

Unassisted solar-driven water electrolysis as a sustainable source for H 2 is limited by the high overpotential necessary to drive the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Crude glycerol is an extremely alkaline byproduct of biodiesel synthesis that can be valorized or refined to produce more desirable chemicals. Glycerol can also be directly oxidized on an anode, replacing water oxidation, to reduce the applied cell potential requirements of electrolytic H 2 production or CO 2 reduction. An advantage of oxidizing glycerol in its crude form is the opportunity to valorize it without initial refinement. We describe an approach to replace the OER half-reaction with the sacrificial crude glycerol electrooxidation on a layered Au–Pt–Bi electrocatalyst on a Ni substrate. Compared to compositions with fewer components, the AuPtBi–Ni electrocatalyst improved the duration of performance and reduced the overall cell potential for glycerol electrooxidation in the extreme alkaline solutions representative of crude glycerol. These enhancements facilitated extended, unassisted hydrogen evolution from crude glycerol electrolysis, even under the power of a single-junction silicon solar cell at less than 1 sun illumination. We characterized the oxidation products of crude glycerol electrolysis and the subsequent products formed spontaneously in the electrolyte in the highly alkaline solution. This analysis helps to both identify the stoichiometric limits of glycerol oxidation at the low cell potentials of interest here and to understand the chemical control imparted by electrocatalysis on the ultimate compounds formed in the crude solution. Furthermore, the results for the AuPtBi electrocatalyst show that incorporating crude glycerol oxidation into integrated electrochemical systems can simultaneously simplify their design and significantly improve solar-to-hydrogen rates.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2024

Impact of a Novel Nickel-Based Catalyst and Phenyl-Acrylate-Based Anion-Exchange Membrane in a Direct Urea Fuel Cell

Developing target-specific catalysts and anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) is crucial for direct urea fuel cell (DUFC) performance. To advance the DUFC system, we developed an anode catalyst with a nickel–iron oxyhydroxide/carbon (NiFeOOH/C) nanofibrous structure for the urea oxidation reaction (UOR), where we optimized the Ni/Fe molar ratio as 6:4. The enhanced electrocatalytic activity of the anode (Ni 6 Fe 4 OOH/C) is attributed to the hydroxide group, which responds with urea molecules to enhance the UOR in a pH-neutral system. Here, we employed a recently developed cross-linked phenyl-acrylate-based AEM (PA/M). A DUFC prepared with the anode and PA/M generates a maximum power density of 11.1 mW/cm 2 and 0.92 V open-circuit voltage under 3 M urea as fuel at 25 °C. We further analyzed the applicability of PA/M in a DUFC system by measuring the urea partition coefficients and permeabilities over a range of concentrations.

10 SYNTHETIC FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Self-Organization and Nitrogen Incorporation in Diamond-Like Carbon Microstructures Synthesized by Nonthermal Plasma

Nonthermal plasma activation of light alkanes is an encouraging decarbonization strategy to produce chemicals or fuels from abundant and/or flared carbon sources. However, prolific carbon growth on both the catalyst and electrode has limited its practicality, requiring additional knowledge of the carbon structure and growth mechanism before breakthroughs are realized. Furthermore, visual evidence is provided for nonuniform diamond-like carbon (DLC) microstructures that materialize in a coaxial dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor flowing ethane and He at 278 K. Through a connection to known behaviors of DBD microdischarge patterns, the microstructure spacing was controlled by altering the applied voltage (ΔV) of the plasma or the burning voltage (U b ). Additionally, carbon valorization through nitrogen incorporation from N 2 was explored as an orthogonal solution to carbon mitigation, with N/C values >0.25 achieved and both sp 2 and sp 3 C–N bonding observed in the microstructures.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Ce- and Ni-Codoped Double PrBaMn 2 O 5 Perovskite as a Ceramic SOFC Anode

This study explores the efficacy of cerium introduction, both on its own and in combination with nickel, into PrBaMn 2 O 5+δ (PBM) structures to enhance solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anodes. We synthesized Pr 1–x Ce x BaMn 2 O 5+δ compositions for x values of 0.05 (PrCe5) and 0.1 (PrCe10), as well as a nickel-doped variant (PrCe5Ni), assessing their performance under H 2 – 3% H 2 O reducing conditions pertinent to SOFC anode operations. Our findings reveal that the PrCe5 composition exhibits a thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) that not only improves upon that of the Ce-free counterpart but also aligns closely with the TEC standards of prevalent SOFC electrolytes. A notable advancement was achieved with the application of a 3.5 μm gadoliniadoped ceria (GDC) buffer layer through physical vapor deposition, effectively mitigating chemical interactions between PBM-based anodes and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolytes, a concern highlighted by in situ neutron diffraction analyses. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, conducted over 220 h in a H 2 –3% H 2 O atmosphere at 750 °C, demonstrated that the optimal 3.5 μm thickness of the GDC buffer layer significantly minimizes the area-specific resistance (ASR) degradation rate to 0.002 Ω cm 2 /h, markedly outperforming both thinner (1 μm) and thicker (8 μm) GDC layers, which showed higher degradation rates of 0.15–0.2 Ω cm 2 /h due to the diffusion of Ba ions or delamination. Moreover, cerium doping fosters superior microstructural stability and obviates barium diffusion, thereby suggesting an enhanced durability of the doped anodes over their lifespan. Integrating nickel into the PrCe5 structure halved the ASR to 0.5 Ω cm 2 at 750 °C, situating it well within the ideal performance range for SOFC anodes. Furthermore, the enhancement brought about by simultaneously doping PBM with cerium and nickel, which fundamentally relies on the critical contributions of defect chemistry and crystal structure, highlights the significance of these fields in creating sophisticated materials for energy related applications.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2025

An Interfacial Engineering Approach toward Operation of a Porous Solid Electrolyte CO 2 Electrolyzer

Waste CO 2 can be repurposed as a carbon feedstock for synthesizing valuable chemicals via CO 2 electrolysis. Porous solid electrolyte (PSE) CO 2 electrolysis has been demonstrated as an economically viable method to produce high purity products. This work applies an interfacial engineering approach to determine key factors to improve performance in PSE CO 2 electrolyzers. We standardize the assembly by binding the ionic resin into an ionomer wafer and utilize Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to design gaskets for uniform fluid flow. Here, we employ the distribution of relaxation times (DRT) method to determine that anionic-conducting interfaces are the primary contributor to energy losses. To address this, we demonstrate that enhancing the contact between the cathode and the anion exchange membrane (AEM) and the AEM-ionic resin interface allows for low overpotential in deionized water operation.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Revitalizing interface in protonic ceramic cells by acid etch

Protonic ceramic electrochemical cells hold the promise to be operated at intermediate temperatures below 600 °C. Although the high proton conductivity of the bulk electrolyte has been demonstrated, it cannot be fully utilized in electrochemical full cells due to unknown causes. A practical solution is thus urgently needed. Here we showed that it comes from poor contacts between the low-temperature processed oxygen electrode-electrolyte interface. We demonstrated that a simple acid treatment can effectively rejuvenate the high-temperature annealed electrolyte surface, resulting in reactive bonding between the oxygen electrode and the electrolyte and improved electrochemical performance and stability. This enables exceptional protonic ceramic fuel-cell performance down to 350 °C, with peak power densities of 1.6 W cm -2 at 600 °C, 650 mW cm -2 at 450 °C, and 300 mW cm -2 at 350 °C, as well as stable electrolysis operations at large current densities above 3.9 A cm -2 under 1.4 V applied voltage at 600 °C. Furthermore, our work highlights the critical role of interfacial engineering in ceramic electrochemical devices and offers new understanding and practices towards sustainable energy infrastructure.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2022

Thermodynamic, Kinetic and Electrochemical Studies on Mixed Proton, Oxygen Ion and Electron (Hole) Conductors

The report contains a summary of work done during the period of performance September 1, 2015 through August 31, 2021. The principal objective of the work was to conduct thermodynamic, kinetic and electrochemical studies on mixed proton, oxygen ion and electron (hole) conductors. The project also involved studies on cation conductors such as Li + and Na + ion conductors of particular relevance to batteries. The work involved theory and experiments. Since any use of ionic conductors necessarily entails two electrodes, electrode reactions are central to the overall transport processes from one electrode, through the electrolyte, to the other electrode. The role of interfaces and electrochemical reactions is thus of central importance. Transport processes in fuel cells, electrolyzers, lithium batteries and sodium batteries were examined using linear non-equilibrium thermodynamics, which is based on the assumption of small departures from thermodynamic equilibrium. The main approach involved expressing transport processes using the Onsager equations which naturally include coupling of thermodynamic flows and thermodynamic forces. The basic tenet of linear nonequilibrium thermodynamics is the existence of local thermodynamic equilibrium which means that all thermodynamic functions are locally defined. Thus, chemical potentials of various species are defined locally as a function of position and also of time. The existence of local thermodynamic equilibrium has fundamental implications concerning transport of electronic species through a predominantly ionic conductor.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2023

Chromium Tolerant, Highly Active and Stable Electrocatalytic Internal Surface Coating for Cathode of Commercial SOFCs (Final Report)

This project is aimed to develop a chromium (Cr) tolerant, highly active, and stable coating layer on the internal surfaces of the porous composite cathode from commercially available SOFCs. Such coating layer was developed using the additive manufacturing process of Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and has been applied on the cathode consisting of either an electronic conductor of LaxSr 1-x MnyO 3-δ (LSM) or mixed ionic and electronic conducting La x Sr 1-x Co y Fe 1-y O 3-δ (LSCF). PI's work has demonstrated that the internal surface of cathode from the commercial cells, can be further tailored using ALD coating to dramatically enhance the cell performance. For instance, ALD layer consisting heterostructured nano composite of nano-Pt and nano-(Mn 0.8 Co 0.2 ) 3 O 4 oxide on the internal surface of porous LSM/YSZ cathode from SOFCs, has resulted in the large reduction of the cell polarizations resistance by up to 53%, and enormous increase of power density over 370%. For the cells with LSCF/Sm 2 O 3 doped CeO 2 (SDC) cathode, the conformal layer of nano-composite consisting of superjacent CoOx and subjacent minimum amount of Pt nano-grains has resulted in the power density enhancement by 126% for the large scale industry tubular cells at 750°C, and both the performance enhancement and nanostructure of the ALD layer are stable over ~ 2000 h continuous operation performed at industry test station. In the meanwhile, those ALD coating layer developed by PI's work is also inherently Cr-tolerant, and could act as physical barrier for preventing Cr diffusion into the cathode backbone, so as to mitigate the Cr poisoning effect on the cathode. In this project, the impact of Cr on the performance of those ALD coated commercial cells has been evaluated. Based on evolution of the cell performance, the ALD coating layer chemistry and ALD coating layer thickness has been optimized to maximize the overall Cr tolerance, cell power density and cell longevity. Different ALD coating has been applied onto the internal surface of LSM/YSZ and LSCF/SDC backbone respectively. The architecture/scaffold structures on the internal surface of different cathode, designed by this project, was catalogued and analyzed using High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), and cell power/durability performance are assured via comprehensive electrochemical performance testing in the industry operation relevant conditions. The impact of the electrochemical operation current density, the water humidity, the cell operation temperature, and cell operation duration on the Cr tolerance of ALD coated cells has been systematically investigated. There is completely different nanostructure degradation mechanisms between LSM and LSCF cells induced by Cr contamination. For the LSCF/SDC baseline cell, With the Cr source, there is no apparent Sr surface segregation phase even for the baseline cell operated for 3000 h at 750 °C. With the Cr source, there is significant amorphous (SrCr)Ox phase accumulated in the original pore region. For the commercial baseline cells, Cr contaminants on the LSM electrode severely impacted the entire cell's electrochemical performance and nanostructure degradation. Those degradations include (1). Peak power density loss of 64 % after 109 h of operation. The dramatic increase in Rp (2). They are cracking at LSM/SSZ interface, LSM grains. SSZ remains intact but with (CrMn)Ox. By contrast, ALD coating (MnCo)Ox/Pt dramatically improves the Cr resistance, as follows (1). ALD-coated cell with a power density is 280-380 % of the baseline cell, depending on the ALD layer thickness. (2). For a cell with a 20 nm thick ALD layer, there is a large performance enhancement (> 200 % power density) induced by ALD coating of Cr-tolerant Mn 0.8 Co 0.2 Ox. (3). For a cell with a 20 nm thick ALD layer, after 168 h at 750 °C power density of the ALD-coated cell is ~ 600% of that baseline cell upon operation with Cr contamination for 109 h. The ALD coating on the internal surface of cathode developed by this project integrated multi-functions. Those multi-functions include (1). Dramatically improving the cell power density for the commercial cells; (2). Dramatically improving contamination resistance of the cathode, for being an excellent protection coating layer sealing off Cr contamination. (3). Dramatically increasing the cell longevity by potentially preventing the microstructure evolution and grain coarsening of the cathode. Overall, this project will provide a simple solution to simultaneously enhance power density and increase the reliability, robustness, and endurance of commercial SOFCs, over the entire operating temperature range of 650-800 °C. For the inherently functional SOFC, the ALD coating of LSM based cathode mitigate the Cr-contamination. Power density of ALD-coated cell is ~ 600% of that baseline cell upon operation with Cr contamination. In addition to SOFCs, the novel on-demand design approach and creation of multifunctional heterogeneous architecture on the electrode surface presented in this work opens further research for their application in other types of fuel cells, batteries, and sensors for which electrochemical reactions on the surface are similarly critical.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Extracellular Charge Transport in Microbial Redox Chains: Linking the Living and Non-Living Worlds

The fundamental process of electron transfer (ET) within and between molecules dictates all biological energy conversion strategies, including respiration and photosynthesis. This project resulted in a comprehensive physics-based understanding of the mechanisms and limits of redox networks that mediate and regulate electron transport through microbial metabolic pathways, with special emphasis on environmental microbes that can acquire energy by catalyzing anodic or cathodic reactions on solid-state electrodes (extracellular electron transfer, or EET). By performing electron transfer to/from electrodes, such microbes may be used as biocatalysts for converting the energy stored in diverse chemical fuels to electricity, or vice versa (microbial electrosynthesis), in renewable energy technologies.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗