[FeFe]-hydrogenase-catalyzed H2 production in a photoelectrochemical biofuel cell

J Am Chem Soc. 2008 Feb 13;130(6):2015-22. doi: 10.1021/ja077691k. Epub 2008 Jan 19.

Abstract

The Clostridium acetobutylicum [FeFe]-hydrogenase HydA has been investigated as a hydrogen production catalyst in a photoelectrochemical biofuel cell. Hydrogenase was adsorbed to pyrolytic graphite edge and carbon felt electrodes. Cyclic voltammograms of the immobilized hydrogenase films reveal cathodic proton reduction and anodic hydrogen oxidation, with a catalytic bias toward hydrogen evolution. When corrected for the electrochemically active surface area, the cathodic current densities are similar for both carbon electrodes, and approximately 40% of those obtained with a platinum electrode. The high surface area carbon felt/hydrogenase electrode was subsequently used as the cathode in a photoelectrochemical biofuel cell. Under illumination, this device is able to oxidize a biofuel substrate and reduce protons to hydrogen. Similar photocurrents and hydrogen production rates were observed in the photoelectrochemical biofuel cell using either hydrogenase or platinum cathodes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bioelectric Energy Sources*
  • Catalysis
  • Clostridium acetobutylicum / enzymology
  • Electrochemistry
  • Electrodes
  • Enzymes, Immobilized / chemistry
  • Hydrogen / chemistry*
  • Hydrogenase / chemistry*
  • Iron-Sulfur Proteins / chemistry*
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Photochemistry
  • Platinum / chemistry
  • Porphyrins / chemistry
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Surface Properties
  • Titanium / chemistry

Substances

  • Enzymes, Immobilized
  • Iron-Sulfur Proteins
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Porphyrins
  • titanium dioxide
  • Platinum
  • Hydrogen
  • Titanium
  • iron hydrogenase
  • Hydrogenase