Biogenic Palladium Nanoparticles for Improving Bioelectricity Generation in Microbial Fuel Cells

Electroactive bacteria with in-situ biogenic palladium nanoparticles increased power density of a microbial fuel cell (MFC) by 75%. The palladium nanoparticles were biosynthesized through bioelectrochemical reduction by the bacteria and remained bound to the cell membrane, facilitating bacterial extracellular electron transfer at the cell-electrode interface. This work revolutionizes knowledge of how bacteria biosynthesize metallic nanoparticles during microbial metabolism and introduces a novel bottom-up approach to fabricate a microbial electrochemical device for renewable energy production in a more eco-friendly and cost-effective way.