Enhanced hydrogen production by coupled system of Halobacterium halobium and chloroplast after entrapment within reverse micelles

Reverse micelles were used for the enhanced rate of photoproduction of hydr ogen using the coupled system of Halobacterium halobium and chloroplasts or ganelles. Different combinations of organic solvents and surfactants were u sed for generating reverse micelles. A several fold enhancement in the rate of H-2 production was observed when the coupled system was entrapped withi n reverse micelles as compared to the aqueous suspension where no detectabl e H-2 was produced. The coupled system immobilized in reverse micelles form ed by sodium lauryl sulfate and carbontetrachloride yielded maximum rate of H-2 evolution. The optimum temperature for such hydrogen production was 40 degrees C using light of 520-570 nm wavelength and 100 lux intensity. (C) 1999 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier S cience Ltd. All rights reserved.