Effect of functionalized MCM41 nanoparticles on syngas fermentation.

Abstract MCM41 nanoparticles with or without mercaptopropyl functional groups were added to a synthesis gas fermentation reactor to investigate their influence on syngas fermentation. Carbon monoxide was fermented using Rhodospirillum rubrum (R. rubrum) , resulting in an enhanced H 2 concentration in the product gas as a result of a biologically mediated water–gas shift (WGS) reaction. The results indicated that the H 2 yield was enhanced by ∼200% when 0.6 wt% of the MCM41 nanoparticles functionalized with 5% molar ratio of mercaptopropyl group were added to the reactor. These results complement previous studies and suggest that the increased H 2 yield is due to enhanced CO–water mass transfer through the addition of the functionalized MCM41 nanoparticles.