Pt-based electro-catalytic materials derived from biosorption processes and their exploitation in fuel cell technology

Biotechnol Lett. 2007 Apr;29(4):545-51. doi: 10.1007/s10529-006-9289-y. Epub 2007 Jan 16.

Abstract

Yeast-based biomass, immobilised in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) cryogels, was used as a biosorbant material for the recovery of platinum (PtCl (6) (2-) ) from aqueous solutions. The resulting biomass-Pt matrices were then employed directly as an electro-catalytic anode in a fuel cell configuration to generate electrical energy from renewable sources such as glucose and ethanol. We suggest an integrated strategy incorporating the derivation of a high-value product from a bioremediative process with a view towards producing energy from renewable fuels such as glucose and ethanol.

MeSH terms

  • Biological Products / chemistry*
  • Catalysis
  • Electric Power Supplies*
  • Electrochemistry / methods*
  • Platinum / chemistry*
  • Platinum / metabolism
  • Yeasts / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biological Products
  • Platinum