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Rapid electron transfer by the carbon matrix in natural pyrogenic carbon

Author

Listed:
  • Tianran Sun

    (School of Integrated Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University)

  • Barnaby D. A. Levin

    (School of Applied and Engineering Physics, College of Engineering, Cornell University)

  • Juan J. L. Guzman

    (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University)

  • Akio Enders

    (School of Integrated Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University)

  • David A. Muller

    (School of Applied and Engineering Physics, College of Engineering, Cornell University
    Kavli Institute for Nanoscale Science, Cornell University)

  • Largus T. Angenent

    (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University
    Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future, Cornell University
    Center for Applied Geosciences, University of Tübingen)

  • Johannes Lehmann

    (School of Integrated Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University
    Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future, Cornell University)

Abstract

Surface functional groups constitute major electroactive components in pyrogenic carbon. However, the electrochemical properties of pyrogenic carbon matrices and the kinetic preference of functional groups or carbon matrices for electron transfer remain unknown. Here we show that environmentally relevant pyrogenic carbon with average H/C and O/C ratios of less than 0.35 and 0.09 can directly transfer electrons more than three times faster than the charging and discharging cycles of surface functional groups and have a 1.5 V potential range for biogeochemical reactions that invoke electron transfer processes. Surface functional groups contribute to the overall electron flux of pyrogenic carbon to a lesser extent with greater pyrolysis temperature due to lower charging and discharging capacities, although the charging and discharging kinetics remain unchanged. This study could spur the development of a new generation of biogeochemical electron flux models that focus on the bacteria–carbon–mineral conductive network.

Suggested Citation

  • Tianran Sun & Barnaby D. A. Levin & Juan J. L. Guzman & Akio Enders & David A. Muller & Largus T. Angenent & Johannes Lehmann, 2017. "Rapid electron transfer by the carbon matrix in natural pyrogenic carbon," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms14873
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14873
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    Cited by:

    1. Deng, Chen & Lin, Richen & Kang, Xihui & Wu, Benteng & O’Shea, Richard & Murphy, Jerry D., 2020. "Improving gaseous biofuel yield from seaweed through a cascading circular bioenergy system integrating anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    2. Qin, Fanzhi & Zhang, Chen & Zeng, Guangming & Huang, Danlian & Tan, Xiaofei & Duan, Abing, 2022. "Lignocellulosic biomass carbonization for biochar production and characterization of biochar reactivity," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    3. Ngoc-Dan Cao, Thanh & Mukhtar, Hussnain & Yu, Chang-Ping & Bui, Xuan-Thanh & Pan, Shu-Yuan, 2022. "Agricultural waste-derived biochar in microbial fuel cells towards a carbon-negative circular economy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    4. Lin, Richen & O'Shea, Richard & Deng, Chen & Wu, Benteng & Murphy, Jerry D., 2021. "A perspective on the efficacy of green gas production via integration of technologies in novel cascading circular bio-systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).

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