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Table 1 Examples of hybrid photosynthesis system with microbes as biocatalyst

From: Hybrid photosynthesis-powering biocatalysts with solar energy captured by inorganic devices

System

Light harvester

Microbe

Comments

References

PV + MES

Multi-Si PVa

S. ovata

Graphite electrodes

Water splitting

Produces acetate and 2-oxobutyrate

Efficiencyb: 8.5–9.9%

[43]

PV + MES

Multi-Si PV

R. eutropha

Co-Pi anode/Co-P cathode

Water splitting

PHB efficiency: 7.6–8.9%

C3–C5 alcohols efficiency: 7.1–8.3%

[77]

PBEC

Si nanowire photocathode

TiO2 photoanode

S. ovata

Water splitting

1.2 g L−1 day−1 acetate

Efficiency: 0.38%

PHB, n-butanol and isoprenoids were produced from acetate in a 2nd reactor

[98]

PBEC

n +/p-Si photocathode

M. barkeri

Pt gauze anode

Water splitting

5.86 mL day−1 CH4

[90]

PBEC

p-InP photocathode

n-TiO2 nanowire/FTO photoanode

M. barkeri

Water splitting

0.58 mL day−1 CH4

[90]

PC

CdS nanoparticles

M. thermoacetica

Cysteine as e− donor

0.48 mM day−1 acetate

[101]

PC

CdS nanoparticles

TiO2 nanoparticles

M. thermoacetica

Z-scheme

Water splitting

Cysteine as e− shuttle

Cocatalyst MnPc

1.2 mM day−1 acetate

[102]

  1. PV photovoltaic, MES microbial electrosynthesis, PBEC photobioelectrochemical cell, PC photocatalyst-driven system
  2. aCoupling of the PV with the MES system has not been tested experimentally. Solar energy-to-electricity conversion efficiency of multi-Si PV was assumed to be 18–21%
  3. bEfficiency refers to solar energy-to-product conversion efficiency