Development of low-carbon bioelectrode systems to catalyze fuel gas production

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Biocathodes capable of catalyzing CH4 and H2 production in bio-electrochemical systems were established by using thermophilic microorganisms as biocatalysts. The CH4-producing biocathode showed the highest electromethanogenic activity so far reported with the current to CH4 conversion efficiency of over 95%. The electrochemical analyses showed that the biocathodic electromethanogenesis was catalyzed via two pathways depend on the cathode potential. The H2-producing biocathode showed the current to H2 conversion efficiency of ca. 80%, which was comparable to those of the metal catalysts. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of microbial consortia associated with the biocathodes suggested a possibility that diverse thermophiles have catalytic activities for electrochemical reactions.