Soft X-ray spectromicroscopic proof of a reversible oxidation/reduction of microbial biofilm structures using a novel microfluidic in situ electrochemical device

Titelangaben

Ingino, Pablo ; Eraky, Haytham ; Zhang, Chunyang ; Hitchcock, Adam P. ; Obst, Martin:
Soft X-ray spectromicroscopic proof of a reversible oxidation/reduction of microbial biofilm structures using a novel microfluidic in situ electrochemical device.
In: Scientific Reports. Bd. 14 (2024) Heft 1 . - 24009.
ISSN 2045-2322
DOI der Verlagsversion: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-74768-9

Volltext

	Format: PDF Name: s41598-024-74768-9.pdf Version: Veröffentlichte Version Verfügbar mit der Lizenz Creative Commons BY 4.0: Namensnennung
	Download (2MB)

Abstract

In situ electrochemistry on micron and submicron-sized individual particles and thin layers is a valuable, emerging tool for process understanding and optimization in a variety of scientific and technological fields such as material science, process technology, analytical chemistry, and environmental sciences. Electrochemical characterization and manipulation coupled with soft X-ray spectromicroscopy helps identify, quantify, and optimize processes in complex systems such as those with high heterogeneity in the spatial and/or temporal domain. Here we present a novel platform optimized for in situ electrochemistry with variable liquid electrolyte flow in soft X-ray scanning transmission X-ray microscopes (STXM). With four channels for fluid control and a modular design, it is suited for a wealth of experimental conditions. We demonstrate its capabilities by proving the reversible oxidation and reduction of individual microbial biofilm structures formed by microaerophilic Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria, also known as twisted stalks. We show spectromicroscopically the heterogeneity of the redox activity on the submicron scale. Examples are also provided of electrochemical modification of liquid electrolyte species (Fe(II) and Fe(III) cyanides), and in situ studies of electrodeposited copper nanoparticles as CO₂ reduction electrocatalysts under reaction conditions.