Electricity from low-level H2 in still air--an ultimate test for an oxygen tolerant hydrogenase

Chem Commun (Camb). 2006 Dec 28:(48):5033-5. doi: 10.1039/b614272a. Epub 2006 Nov 9.

Abstract

We demonstrate an extreme test of O(2) tolerance for a biological hydrogen-cycling catalyst: the generation of electricity from just 3% H(2) released into still, ambient air using an open fuel cell comprising an anode modified with the unusual hydrogenase from Ralstonia metallidurans CH34, that oxidizes trace H(2) in atmospheric O(2), connected via a film of electrolyte to a cathode modified with the fungal O(2) reductase, laccase.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air*
  • Bioelectric Energy Sources
  • Electricity*
  • Electrochemistry
  • Hydrogen / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / chemistry
  • Hydrogenase / chemistry*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Oxygen / chemistry*
  • Ralstonia / enzymology
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / chemistry

Substances

  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Hydrogen
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Hydrogenase
  • Oxygen