Performance of non-compartmentalized enzymatic biofuel cell based on buckypaper cathode and ferrocene-containing redox polymer anode

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 247; pp. 579 - 586
• Main Authors: BUNTE, Christine, HUSSEIN, Laith, URBAN, Gerald A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier 01.02.2014
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biocompatibility; Density; Devices; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Electrodes; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Enzymes; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Fuels; Glucose; Materials; Open circuit voltage; Aldose; Anode; Mediated electron transfer; Cathode; Organometallic polymer; Nanotube; Electron transfer; Polymetallocene; Glucose; Electrode material; Redox polymer; Implantable power; Ferrocene polymer; Biochemical fuel cell; Biofuel cell; Buckypaper; Performance
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2013.08.077

Novel single compartment Glucose/O2 biofuel cells (BFCs) were developed using immobilized enzymes and the mediated electron transfer (MET) approach. The bioanode was prepared through a ferrocene-containing redox polymer crosslinked in the presence of a biocatalyst on a glassy carbon support. Here, the redox polymer can physically entrap the enzyme and prevent it from leaching. Additionally it provides a biocompatible microenvironment and thus could extend the life time of enzyme. On the other side, the mediated biocathode was prepared based on bilirubin oxidase and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) diammonium salt (ABTS2-) system which has been physically entrapped in Nafion matrix and then adsorbed directly on a highly porous, conductive and functionalized buckypaper (fBP). Both electrodes were characterized physically and electrochemically. Employing these electrodes, the resulting BFC generates an open circuit voltage (Voc) of approximately 0.550 V and a peak power density of 26 mu W cm-2 at 0.2 V at 37 degree C in quiescent O2-saturated physiological buffer containing 5 mM glucose. The cell sustains a load up to 225 mu A cm-2. Moreover, a high short circuit current (Isc) of 300 mu A cm-2 is approached. This BFC can operate in mild conditions without using any toxic materials which makes it attractive for implantable devices.