Enhanced hydrogen production in a UASB reactor by retaining microbial consortium onto carbon nanotubes (CNTs)

Biohydrogen and subsequent biomethane generation from biomass is a promising strategy for renewable energy supply, because this combination can lead to higher energy recovery efficiency and faster fermentation than single methane fermentation. Microbial consortium control by retaining hydrogen-producers through the addition of microbial carriers is an alternative to constructing hydrogen-producing reactors. Here we report the use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as microbial carriers to enhance microbial retention and the production of biohydrogen. Laboratory-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors with CNTs at 100 mg/L achieved a maximal hydrogen production rate of 5.55 L/L/d and a maximal hydrogen yield of 2.45 mol/mol glucose. Compared to frequently used activated carbon (AC) particles, CNTs resulted in quicker startup and better performance of hydrogen fermentation in UASB reactors. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and pyrosequencing results revealed that the reactor with CNTs led to a high proportion of hydrogen-producing bacteria among the microbial consortium, which endowed the microbes with strong flocculation capacity and hydrogen productivity.

► We report carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as a carrier for biohydrogen production.
► CNTs resulted in greater hydrogen production in UASB than activated carbon.
► SEM showed different microbial morphologies induced with different carriers.
► Pyrosequencing proved a high proportion of hydrogen-producing bacteria on CNTs.