A facile and sustainable hygroelectric generator using whole-cell Geobacter sulfurreducens. (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ren, Guoping; Wang, Zhao; Zhang, Bintian; Liu, Xing; Ye, Jie; Hu, Qichang; Zhou, Shungui
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 89(2021)Part A
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: Whole-cell hygroelectric generator -- Geobacter sulfurreducens -- Humidity -- Microbial film; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.106361
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: Hygroelectric generator (HEG) technology based on ambient humidity is a promising self-sustained energy harvesting system, but it usually suffers from the disadvantages of expensive materials, complicated device construction processes, and unfavorable short-term power output. Herein, we propose a facile whole-cell HEG, which was fabricated from an easily prepared film of whole-cell Geobacter sulfurreducens ( G.S. ) and a low-cost indium tin oxide electrode. The HEG produced an open-circuit voltage of 0.3 V and a load current of 0.3 μA with a power density of 2.5 μW/cm 2 that lasted for longer than 2160 h. The performance of HEGs constructed from G.S. nanowires (NWs), whole-cell G.S., and G.S. -without NWs was compared, which indicated that the energy harvesting behavior of the HEG was highly dependent on surface hydrophilicity and the ionization level, as determined by the content of hydrophilic groups in the film. Our results demonstrate a facile and inexpensive whole-cell HEG technology that generates sustainable hygroelectricity from ambient humidity. This development will greatly promote the practical application of hygroelectricity technology. Graphical Abstract: ga1 Highlights: A hygroelectric generator (HEG) with green resource and simple process was fabricated. The HEG technology was constructed from whole-cell G.S. film and low-cost ITO. The HEG can output sustainable and stable moisture-based power over 2160 h. The HEG achieved power generation with a power density of 2.5 μW/cm 2 .