Bio-catalyzed electrode reactions: from biocorrosion to biofuel celles
Abstract
Whereas corrosion of metallic materials by bacteria is a process dreaded by metallurgists, the mechanisms of such corrosion, involving specific biofilms or enzymes as they do, are of great interest as regards fuel cells. Indeed, developing biofilms or adding enzymes having the ability to reproduce biocorrosion phenomena enables enhanced rates to be achieved for the reactions occurring at the anode and cathode areas of metallic materials leading to biocorrosion. Bio-catalyzed reactions at the anode and cathode are nearly identical in microbial fuel cells leading to electricity production. Demonstration of such biocatalysis processes on conductor materials hints at new prospects, with the highlighting of an electrochemical connection between materials and microorganisms. Biofilms, owing to the bacteria and/or enzymes they contain, are electrochemically active, thus conferring on conducting materials unexpected behavior, including corrosion protection effects.
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