Experimental development of a biological photovoltaic cell (BPV) for energy conversion and simultaneous CO2 capture by utilizing marine microalgae on copper mesh

Abstract

This work details the construction and testing of a biological photovoltaic cell (BPV) that utilizes solar energy to generate electricity from biological photosynthetic activities of microorganisms. Nannochloropsis Oculata, a marine microalgae that can survive in hot climates with good photosynthetic activity is used and the potential of energy conversion is investigated and compared to microalgae species native to the UAE salt flats. The species are added with a copper mesh that acts as a photoanode material to increase the reactive surface area and produce an economical and ecofriendly BPV. The chronoamperometry and I–V tests were done first as a proof-of-concept to ensure the electrochemical activity and electricity generation from the cell. A pulse-modulated fluorescence monitoring system was used to analyze photosynthetic metrics which is the overall photosynthetic efficiency from Chlorophyll fluorescence. The Nannochloropsis cell has the potential to intrinsically capture carbon dioxide during photosynthesis which is estimated to have an efficiency of 89.1 % in the closed system. This will result in a more sustainable approach to produce energy while reducing CO2 emissions.