Carbon Dioxide Utilization—
Bioelectrochemical Approaches
Cristina M. Cordas, José J. G. Moura, Adrián Escapa,
and Raúl Mateos
Abstract
CO 2 level increase in the planet is a major concern and utilization, mitigation
and transformation of CO 2 in useful compounds is of great interest. This chapter
points to an alternative electrochemical approach for reducing/making use of
CO 2 in a “greener” route, using electricity that may be generated from renewable
sources (e.g. solar, wind). The most relevant enzymes that can utilize CO 2 are
described, as well as their electrochemical behaviour. The bioelectrochemical
approach (in its different possible systems and configurations) has an enormous
advantage in the selection of the reaction products, in mild conditions. Carbon
monoxide, hydrocarbons, alcohols, urea and formic acid are detectable products,
and the last one has received particular attention in terms of its market added
value. Enzymes, multi enzymatic, whole cells, and other bioelectrochemical
systems, e.g. microbial fuel cells, for electrosynthesis and CO 2 mitigation, are
discussed here.
C. M. Cordas (&) Á J. J. G. Moura
LAQV, REQUIMTE, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Campus de Caparica,
Caparica, Portugal
e-mail: cristina.cordas@fct.ul.pt
A. Escapa (&) Á R. Mateos
Chemical and Environmental Bioprocess Engineering Group, Natural Resources Institute
(IRENA), Universidad de León, León, Spain
e-mail: adrian.escapa@unileon.es
A. Escapa
Department of Electrical Engineering and Automatic Systems, Universidad de León,
Campus de Vegazana, León, Spain
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
J. J. G. Moura et al. (eds.), Enzymes for Solving Humankind's Problems,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58315-6_3
83
Bioelectrochemical Approaches
Cristina M. Cordas, José J. G. Moura, Adrián Escapa,
and Raúl Mateos
Abstract
CO 2 level increase in the planet is a major concern and utilization, mitigation
and transformation of CO 2 in useful compounds is of great interest. This chapter
points to an alternative electrochemical approach for reducing/making use of
CO 2 in a “greener” route, using electricity that may be generated from renewable
sources (e.g. solar, wind). The most relevant enzymes that can utilize CO 2 are
described, as well as their electrochemical behaviour. The bioelectrochemical
approach (in its different possible systems and configurations) has an enormous
advantage in the selection of the reaction products, in mild conditions. Carbon
monoxide, hydrocarbons, alcohols, urea and formic acid are detectable products,
and the last one has received particular attention in terms of its market added
value. Enzymes, multi enzymatic, whole cells, and other bioelectrochemical
systems, e.g. microbial fuel cells, for electrosynthesis and CO 2 mitigation, are
discussed here.
C. M. Cordas (&) Á J. J. G. Moura
LAQV, REQUIMTE, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Campus de Caparica,
Caparica, Portugal
e-mail: cristina.cordas@fct.ul.pt
A. Escapa (&) Á R. Mateos
Chemical and Environmental Bioprocess Engineering Group, Natural Resources Institute
(IRENA), Universidad de León, León, Spain
e-mail: adrian.escapa@unileon.es
A. Escapa
Department of Electrical Engineering and Automatic Systems, Universidad de León,
Campus de Vegazana, León, Spain
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
J. J. G. Moura et al. (eds.), Enzymes for Solving Humankind's Problems,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58315-6_3
83