Photoelectrochemical H_2 Production by Using Bacteriorhodopsin Immobilized in PAG

摘要

Bacteriorhodopsin (BR), a protein found in the purple membrane of Halobacterium halobium, is used as a biocatalyst in photoelectrochemical hydrogen production in a NaCl solution. In present study the biocatalytic effect of BR of a new strain MILTU and strain S-9 were investigated in immobilized membranes. The photoelectrochemical hydrogen production experiments were performed in a batch type glass reactor with free H. halobium packed cells or H. halobium cells immobilized in polyacrylamide gel (PAG). It was found that the presence of BR in the reactor enhances the hydrogen production rate upon illumination. Immobilization increased the amount of hydrogen produced per mole of BR. The maximum moles of hydrogen produced per mole of BR used was obtained by H. halobium MILTU packed cells immobilized in PAG. The presence of BR regulates the pH of the system, increases the hydrogen production rate and causes light-induced proton dissociation, which lowers the electrical power requirement for the electrochemical conversion.