Chitosan supported nano zero valent iron (nZVI/CS) was used as a catalyst to improve biohydrogen production. Dark fermentation was carried out by Enterobacter aerogenes using glucose as a carbon source under mesophilic condition at 37?°C. TEM analysis confirmed the morphological arrangement of nano sized zero valent iron embedded on chitosan. The highest biohydrogen yield was 243 mLH 2 /g glucose which was 30% higher than the control. The corresponding initial pH was 6.8 and optimum nZVI/CS concentration was identified as 150 mg/L. Volatile fatty acids (VFA) distribution indicated the acetic pathway was undertaken to produce biohydrogen resulting in a positive correlation between hydrogen yield and acetic acid concentration. The presence of propionic acid and ethanol has negatively affected the hydrogen yield.
展开▼
