Integration of [FeFe]-Hydrogenase into a Photoelectrochemical Biofuel Cell

MICHAEL HAMBOURGER, MIGUEL GERVALDO, DRAZENKA SVEDRUZIC, PAUL W. KING, DEVENS GUST, MARIA GHIRARDI, ANA L. MOORE, THOMAS A. MOORE

Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Conferencia; 213th Meeting of The Electrochemical Society; 2008

The Electrochemical Society

Solar energy conversion is a promising means of meeting human energy demands in an environmentally responsible manner. Towards this end, we have previously developed a photoelectrochemical biofuel cell, capable of photochemically reforming biomass to H2 gas.1, We now report the use of the Clostridium acetobutylicum [FeFe]- hydrogenase HydA (CaHydA) as a non-noble metal hydrogen production catalyst in this device. Hydrogenase was adsorbed to carbon electrodes, and the resulting assemblies were studied electrochemically and used as the cathodic catalyst in the photoelectrochemical biofuel cell. The photocurrents and rates of hydrogen production were similar using either hydrogenase or platinum cathodes. Our findings reveal this [FeFe]-hydrogenase to be a viable hydrogen production catalyst under anaerobic conditions.2 gas.1, We now report the use of the Clostridium acetobutylicum [FeFe]- hydrogenase HydA (CaHydA) as a non-noble metal hydrogen production catalyst in this device. Hydrogenase was adsorbed to carbon electrodes, and the resulting assemblies were studied electrochemically and used as the cathodic catalyst in the photoelectrochemical biofuel cell. The photocurrents and rates of hydrogen production were similar using either hydrogenase or platinum cathodes. Our findings reveal this [FeFe]-hydrogenase to be a viable hydrogen production catalyst under anaerobic conditions.Clostridium acetobutylicum [FeFe]- hydrogenase HydA (CaHydA) as a non-noble metal hydrogen production catalyst in this device. Hydrogenase was adsorbed to carbon electrodes, and the resulting assemblies were studied electrochemically and used as the cathodic catalyst in the photoelectrochemical biofuel cell. The photocurrents and rates of hydrogen production were similar using either hydrogenase or platinum cathodes. Our findings reveal this [FeFe]-hydrogenase to be a viable hydrogen production catalyst under anaerobic conditions.CaHydA) as a non-noble metal hydrogen production catalyst in this device. Hydrogenase was adsorbed to carbon electrodes, and the resulting assemblies were studied electrochemically and used as the cathodic catalyst in the photoelectrochemical biofuel cell. The photocurrents and rates of hydrogen production were similar using either hydrogenase or platinum cathodes. Our findings reveal this [FeFe]-hydrogenase to be a viable hydrogen production catalyst under anaerobic conditions.