A Semiconductor Biohybrid System for Photo-Synergetic Enhancement of Biological Hydrogen Production

Graphical Nanoncapsulation of E. coli by tannic acid (TA)-Fe complexes enhances its stability in seawater. Further, different types of nanomaterials can be easily introduced to the surface of E. coli using TA−Fe shells as a biological interface. The E. coli -based semiconductor biohybrid system prepared by nanoencapsulation and hybridisation can significantly enhance hydrogen production activity under illumination and shows good stability in seawater. CdS nanoparticles were introduced on E. coli cells to construct a hydrogen generating biohybrid system via the biointerface of tannic acid-Fe complex. This hybrid system promotes good biological activity in a high salinity environment. Under light illumination, the as-synthesized biohybrid system achieves a 32.44 % enhancement of hydrogen production in seawater through a synergistic effect.