Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-based microbial hybrids for enhancing dark fermentation hydrogen production: performance and mechanistic insights

GONG Junsha; SONG Jingwen; HOU Yanan; LIU Zhihua; LI Haibo; WU Liping; HUANG Cong

doi:10.13205/j.hjgc.202605003

Volume 44 Issue 5

May 2026

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Article Navigation > ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING > 2026 > 44(5): 27-36

GONG Junsha, SONG Jingwen, HOU Yanan, LIU Zhihua, LI Haibo, WU Liping, HUANG Cong. Fe2O3-based microbial hybrids for enhancing dark fermentation hydrogen production: performance and mechanistic insights[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(5): 27-36. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605003

Citation:

GONG Junsha, SONG Jingwen, HOU Yanan, LIU Zhihua, LI Haibo, WU Liping, HUANG Cong. Fe₂O₃-based microbial hybrids for enhancing dark fermentation hydrogen production: performance and mechanistic insights[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(5): 27-36. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605003

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Fe₂O₃-based microbial hybrids for enhancing dark fermentation hydrogen production: performance and mechanistic insights

doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202605003

1. Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science and Technology, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China;
2. Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China

Received Date: 2025-03-25
Available Online: 2026-06-06

Abstract

Abstract

This study developed a mixed microbial biohybrid system based on Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles to significantly enhance dark fermentation hydrogen production by improving hydrogenase activity， microbial metabolic activity， and electron transfer efficiency. At a Fe₂O₃ concentration of 300 mg/L （denoted as S₃₀₀）， the hydrogen yield attained 2.94 mol H₂ per mole of glucose， which was equivalent to 73.5% of the theoretical hydrogen production rate in dark fermentation. This yield was 1.59 times higher than that of the control group （S₀） without the addition of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles. In the S₃₀₀ biohybrid， the ATP content and total protein concentration increased by 4.09- and 1.30-fold， respectively； hydrogenase and dehydrogenase activities were enhanced by 24.62% and 63.11%， respectively； and the electron transfer system activity increased by 3.44-fold， accompanied by a significant reduction in charge transfer resistance. Additionally， a gradual increase in Fe²⁺ concentration from S₅₀ to S₃₀₀ was identified as a key factor in stimulating hydrogenase activity and enhancing electron transfer efficiency. Microbial community analysis revealed that the relative abundance of the hydrogen-producing genus Clostridium in S₃₀₀ increased by 9.75 percentage points to 42.60%， playing a pivotal role in enhancing hydrogen production. This study not only proposes an efficient Fe₂O₃ nanoparticle-based biohybrid strategy but also provides in-depth insights into the synergistic mechanisms between nanomaterials and microorganisms， thereby offering a theoretical and practical foundation for advancing dark fermentation hydrogen production technologies.
- Fe₂O₃,
- dark fermentation,
- hydrogen production,
- electron transfer,
- enzyme activity,
- microbial community

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References(48)

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