Microbial electrosynthesis is a new approach to converting C1 carbon (CO2) to more complex carbon-based products. In the present study, CO2, a potential greenhouse gas, was used as a sole carbon source and reduced to value-added chemicals (acetate, ethanol) with the help of bioelectrochemical reduction in microbial electrosynthesis systems (MES). The performance of MES was studied with varying electrode materials (carbon felt, stainless steel, and cobalt electrodeposited carbon felt). The MES performance was assessed in terms of acetic acid and ethanol production with the help of gas chromatography (GC). The electrochemical characterization of the system was analyzed with chronoamperometry and cyclic voltammetry. The study revealed that the MES operated with hybrid cobalt electrodeposited carbon felt electrode yielded the highest acetic acid (4.4 g/L) concentration followed by carbon felt/stainless steel (3.7 g/L), plain carbon felt (2.2 g/L), and stainless steel (1.87 g/L). The alcohol concentration was also observed to be highest for the hybrid electrode (carbon felt/stainless steel/cobalt oxide is 0.352 g/L) as compared to the bare electrodes (carbon felt is 0.22 g/L) tested, which was found to be in correspondence with the pH changes in the system. Electrochemical analysis revealed improved electrotrophy in the hybrid electrode, as confirmed by the increased redox current for the hybrid electrode as compared to plain electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry analysis also confirmed the role of the biocatalyst developed on the electrode in CO2 sequestration.
The modern eco-friendly materials used in research and innovation today consist of nanocomposites and bio-nanocomposite polymers. Their unique composite properties make them suitable for various industrial, medicinal, and energy applications. Bio-nanocomposite polymers are made of biopolymer matrices that have nanofillers dispersed throughout them. There are several types of fillers that can be added to polymers to enhance their quality, such as cellulose-based fillers, clay nanomaterials, carbon black, talc, carbon quantum dots, and many others. Biopolymer-based nanocomposites are considered a superior alternative to traditional materials as they reduce reliance on fossil fuels and promote the use of renewable resources. This review covers the current state-of-the-art in nanocomposite and bio-nanocomposite materials, focusing on ways to improve their features and the various applications they can be used for. The review article also investigates the utilization of diverse nanocomposites as a viable approach for developing bio-nanocomposites. It delves into the underlying principles that govern the synthesis of these materials and explores their prospective applications in the biomedical field, food packaging, sensing (Immunosensors), and energy storage devices. Lastly, the review discusses the future outlook and current challenges of these materials, with a focus on sustainability.