Copper biomachining mechanisms using the newly isolated Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans B1
Journal
Copper biomachining mechanisms using the newly isolated Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans B1,
Date Issued
January 1, 2015
Abstract
The controlled microbiological corrosion or biomachining has promising applications in the production of microstructures on a metal workpiece. This process is innovative, low cost and environmentally friendly. Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans B1 was found to be the most effective strain during copper biomachining of a workpiece among 6 isolated A. Ferrooxidans strains. A. ferrooxidans B1 was tested for copper biomachining at various conditions, such as pH regulation (pH 1.8 or unregulated), temperature control (4 °C, 20 °C) and inoculation strategy. The dominant biomachining mechanism was found to be the indirect degradation/bioleaching of copper from the workpiece due to the microbial regenerated ferric ions.