| AVS 61st International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| Biomaterial Interfaces | Tuesday Sessions |
| Session BI+AS+MN+NS-TuM |
| Session: | Biosensors |
| Presenter: | Kateryna Artyushkova, University of New Mexico |
| Authors: | K. Artyushkova, University of New Mexico C. Santoro, University of New Mexico S. Babanova, University of New Mexico J. Cornejo, University of New Mexico L. Ista, University of New Mexico A. Schuler, University of New Mexico P. Atanassov, University of New Mexico |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
Bioelectrochemical oxidation carried out by bacteria attached on a solid electrode is capturing the attention of scientists all over the world. Different species of bacteria have been shown as electroactive and being able to oxidize organic compounds releasing electrons that can be transferred to a conductive solid support. If the oxidation reaction is coupled with the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), the degradation of organics could lead to a production of useful electricity and water. Those related aspects are currently utilized in the development of alternative and cost effective bioelectrochemical systems (e.g. microbial fuel cell (MFC)) for simultaneous organics removal and electricity production. Understanding the bioelectrocatalytic nature of organics dissimilation by bacteria and the subsequent internal and external electron transfer is of a high importance for the further development of these systems and a key moment in their future application.
In this work, an artificial approach for enhanced microbial bioelectrocatalysis was explored along with study of the parameters promoting bacteria external electron transfer. This approach consisted of artificial modification of electrode surfaces having, as a result, different surface chemistries. Mixed bacterial culture development, biofilm growth and electrochemical performance have been studied. Smooth gold surfaces were modified with organic thiols to form self assembled monolayers (SAMs) with various functional groups (-CH3, -OH, -N(CH3)3 and -COOH).
Power curves and single electrode polarization curves have been taken to evaluate the performance of the MFC as a whole and of the electrodes separately. XPS analysis of electrodes was used to study the effect of chemistry on the performance. Confocal and SEM microscopy was used to study the bacteria biomass and biofilm development was tracked over time .