Upgrading CO ₂ into acetate on Bi ₂ O ₃ @carbon felt integrated electrode via coupling electrocatalysis with microbial synthesis

Upgrading of atmospheric CO2 into high-value-added acetate using renewable electricity via electrocatalysis solely remains a great challenge. Here, inspired by microbial synthesis biocatalysts, we present coupled system to produce from bridging inorganic with through formate intermediates. A 3D Bi2O3@CF integrated electrode an ice-sugar gourd shape was fabricated straightforward hydrothermal strategy, wherein Bi2O3 microspheres were decorated on carbon fibers. This gourd-shaped architecture endows electrodes multiple structural advantages, including synergistic contribution, high mass transport capability, stability, and large surface area. Consequently, the resultant exhibited maximum Faradic efficiency 92.4% at −1.23 V versus Ag/AgCl for generation in 0.5 M KHCO3, exceeding that Bi2O3/CF prepared conventional preparation strategy. Benefiting selectivity, unique architecture, good biocompatibility, attached enriched CO2-fixing electroautotrophs served as biocathode. As result, considerable yield rate 0.269 ± 0.009 g L−1 day−1 (a total 3.77 0.12 during 14-day operation) achieved electrochemical–microbial equipped Bi2O3@CF.