Microbial Nitrogen-Sulfur Doping of Graphene Oxide at 37°C

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing nitrogen and sulfur-doped graphene (N,S-DDG) involve the use of toxic chemicals and high temperatures, posing environmental and health risks, and result in unsatisfactory performance due to uneven distribution of N and S atoms, limiting scalability.

Innovation Solution

A process using selected microorganisms from the Halobacteria class, such as Halalkaliarchaeum desulfuricum and Natronolimnobius sulfurireducens, to dope graphene oxide (GO) at lower temperatures and salinity conditions, providing a culture medium with necessary elements for nitrogen and sulfur, ensuring a continuous and efficient doping process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) at 800°C is used to dope graphene with nitrogen and sulfur, then the doping effectiveness is improved, but the energy consumption and operational hazards increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoping effectivenessVSAvoidprocess temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally changes the temperature parameter from 800°C to physiological temperature (37°C), and changes the chemical environment from toxic gases (CH4, NH3, H2SO4) to aqueous culture medium, thereby resolving the contradiction between doping effectiveness and operational safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the thermal field (high temperature CVD process) with a biological field (microbial respiration at physiological temperature), achieving doping through biochemical reactions rather than thermal decomposition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If CVD with toxic chemicals (methane, ammonia, sulfuric acid) is used for doping, then the doping performance is improved, but the environmental pollution and health risks worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoping performanceVSAvoidenvironmental pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful metabolic byproducts of bacteria (H2S, NH3) into beneficial doping agents for graphene, while the bacteria themselves serve as both the reduction agent and the doping source, eliminating the need for external toxic chemicals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The bacterial culture medium contains all necessary elements (C, H, O, N, S) that bacteria utilize through their own metabolic processes to produce the doping atoms, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating external toxic reagent input

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional microbial doping with sulfate-reducing bacteria is used, then the process safety is improved, but the doping uniformity and product performance worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess safetyVSAvoiddoping uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces organic substrates (lactate, pyruvate, acetate) as intermediaries that bacteria metabolize to produce H2S and other doping agents, ensuring controlled and uniform release of dopants throughout the graphene oxide reduction process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite approach combining reduced graphene oxide with nitrogen and sulfur dopants in a single microbial process, achieving dual-doping with improved uniformity through the integrated action of bacterial metabolism on the graphene oxide surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The process produces N,S-DDG with high electrical conductivity and catalytic properties, minimizing environmental impact and operational hazards, allowing for scalable and cost-effective production.

Implementation Method 1

during anaerobic respiration the sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) predominantly use sulfate (SO4 2-), reducing it to sulfide (S2-)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnaerobic respiration: Anaerobic Digestion

Implementation Method 2

reducing it to sulfide (S2-)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReduction: Reduction

Implementation Method 3

reduction of graphene oxide (GO), through microbial respiration of sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrobial respiration: Anaerobic Digestion

Data Source

PatentEP4034500B1Process for doping graphene with nitrogen and sulfur by reducing graphene oxide with microorganisms, nitrogen- and sulfur-doped graphene thus obtained and its use

Publication Date: 2025.10.29 SEA FURTHER SARL

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AI summary

The present invention refers to a process to produce graphene dual doped with nitrogen and sulfur atoms through a reduction of graphene oxide by microorganisms. In addition, this invention relates to graphene dual doped with nitrogen and sulfur atoms obtainable by this process, and to the use of the so doped graphene to produce e.g. electronic components or water purification equipment. In particular, the process is eco-sustainable and economic with the additional advantage of providing a product with significantly improved performance compared to known products.