Scientists gain first quantitative insights into electron transfer from minerals to microbes
Scientists have gained the first quantitative insights into electron transfer from minerals to microbes by studying that transfer in a nature-inspired, protein and iron-based nanoparticle system. Iron plays a crucial role in environmental biogeochemistry. It readily exchanges electrons with microbes, transforming from more soluble Fe(II) to less soluble Fe(III). By studying that exchange, researchers better understand iron cycling in the environment and how iron cycling, carbon cycling, and microbial activities are connected. For their studies, the research team used 'tunable' Fe3-xTixO4 nanoparticles in which the Fe(II)/Fe(III) ratio is controlled by replacing Fe atoms with Ti atoms in the nanoparticle lattice—the more Ti, the more Fe(II).