Jie Ye

Bio: Jie Ye is an academic researcher from Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Methanogenesis & Medicine. The author has an hindex of 12, co-authored 22 publications receiving 405 citations.

Light-driven carbon dioxide reduction to methane by Methanosarcina barkeri-CdS biohybrid

Abstract: Semi-artificial photosynthesis has emerged as a promising approach to convert carbon dioxide to value-added chemicals. Herein, direct CO2-to-CH4 conversion was realized by an innovative biohybrid consisting of semiconductor nanoparticles and non-phototrophic methanogens. The interaction between a model methanogen Methanosarcina barkeri and photoactive CdS nanoparticles achieved a CH4 production rate of 0.19 μmol/h with a quantum efficiency of 0.34%, comparable to that of plants or algae. The M. barkeri-CdS biohybrid exhibited a higher electrical conductivity than M. barkeri only and generated photocurrent in response to irradiation. The simultaneous increase of mcrA gene copies by 151.4% illustrated the robustness of this M. barkeri-CdS biohybrid. Membrane-bound proteins were found to play a key role in the photoelectron transfer. The CO2-to-CH4 conversion was possibly conducted with photoelectrons from the e−-h+ separation via the H2ases-mediated and cytochromes-mediated pathways. The findings encourage further exploration of the solar-driven self-replicating biocatalytic system to achieve CO2-to-CH4 conversion.

A Review of the Chemistry of Anaerobic Digestion : Methods of Accelerating and Optimizing Process Efficiency

Abstract: The anaerobic digestion technology has been in existence for centuries and its underlying theory established for decades. It is considered a useful technology for the generation of renewable energy ...

Methane Production and Conductive Materials: A Critical Review

Abstract: Conductive materials (CM) have been extensively reported to enhance methane production in anaerobic digestion processes. The occurrence of direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) in microbial communities, as an alternative or complementary to indirect electron transfer (via hydrogen or formate), is the main explanation given to justify the improvement of methane production. Not disregarding that DIET can be promoted in the presence of certain CM, it surely does not explain all the reported observations. In fact, in methanogenic environments DIET was only unequivocally demonstrated in cocultures of Geobacter metallireducens with Methanosaeta harundinacea or Methanosarcina barkeri and frequently Geobacter sp. are not detected in improved methane production driven systems. Furthermore, conductive carbon nanotubes were shown to accelerate the activity of methanogens growing in pure cultures, where DIET is not expected to occur, and hydrogenotrophic activity is ubiquitous in full-scale anaerobic digesters...

Fundamentals, Applications, and Future Directions of Bioelectrocatalysis.

Abstract: Bioelectrocatalysis is an interdisciplinary research field combining biocatalysis and electrocatalysis via the utilization of materials derived from biological systems as catalysts to catalyze the redox reactions occurring at an electrode. Bioelectrocatalysis synergistically couples the merits of both biocatalysis and electrocatalysis. The advantages of biocatalysis include high activity, high selectivity, wide substrate scope, and mild reaction conditions. The advantages of electrocatalysis include the possible utilization of renewable electricity as an electron source and high energy conversion efficiency. These properties are integrated to achieve selective biosensing, efficient energy conversion, and the production of diverse products. This review seeks to systematically and comprehensively detail the fundamentals, analyze the existing problems, summarize the development status and applications, and look toward the future development directions of bioelectrocatalysis. First, the structure, function, and modification of bioelectrocatalysts are discussed. Second, the essentials of bioelectrocatalytic systems, including electron transfer mechanisms, electrode materials, and reaction medium, are described. Third, the application of bioelectrocatalysis in the fields of biosensors, fuel cells, solar cells, catalytic mechanism studies, and bioelectrosyntheses of high-value chemicals are systematically summarized. Finally, future developments and a perspective on bioelectrocatalysis are suggested.

Solar fuels: research and development strategies to accelerate photocatalytic CO2 conversion into hydrocarbon fuels

Abstract: Photocatalytic production of solar fuels from CO2 is a promising strategy for addressing global environmental problems and securing future energy supplies. Although extensive research has been conducted to date, numerous impediments to realizing efficient, selective, and stable CO2 reduction have yet to be overcome. This comprehensive review highlights the recent advances in CO2 photoreduction, including critical challenges such as light-harvesting, charge separation, and the activation of CO2 molecules. We present promising strategies for enhancing the photocatalytic activities and discuss theoretical insights and equations for quantifying photocatalytic performance, which are expected to afford a fundamental understanding of CO2 photoreduction. We then provide a thorough overview of both traditional photocatalysts such as metal oxides and state-of-the-art catalysts such as metal–organic frameworks and 2D materials, followed by a discussion of the origin of carbon in CO2 photoreduction as a means to further understand the reaction mechanism. Finally, we discuss the economic viability of photocatalytic CO2 reduction before concluding the review with proposed future research directions.