Use of bioelectrode containing DNA-wrapped single-walled carbon nanotubes for enzyme-based biofuel cell

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 195; no. 3; pp. 750 - 755
• Main Authors: Lee, Jin Young, Shin, Hyun Yong, Kang, Seong Woo, Park, Chulhwan, Kim, Seung Wook
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.02.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Carbon nanotube; Electron transfer; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Enzyme-based biofuel cell; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Glucose; Glucose oxidase; Laccase; Carbon nanotube; Electron transfer; Glucose oxidase; Enzyme-based biofuel cell; Glucose; Laccase; Biotechnology; Gold; Stability; Carbon nanotubes; Renewable energy; DNA; Catalyst; Fuel cell
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.08.050

Biofuel cells that utilize enzymes are attractive alternatives to metal catalyst-based cells because they are environmentally friendly, renewable and operate well at room temperature. Glucose oxidase (GOD)/laccase based biofuel cells have been evaluated to determine if they are useful power supplies that can be implanted in vivo. However, the usefulness of GOD/laccase systems is limited because they produce low level of electrical power. The effects of DNA-wrapped single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) on the electrical properties of a fuel cell are evaluated under ambient conditions in an attempt to increase the electrical power of an enzyme-based biofuel cell (EFC). The anode (GOD) and cathode (laccase) system in the EFC is composed of gold electrodes that are modified with DNA-wrapped SWNTs. Glucose (for anode) and O 2 (for cathode) are used as the substrates. The anodic electrical properties increase significantly with a bioelectrode that contains DNA-wrapped SWNTs as an electron-transfer mediator. Furthermore, the modified bioelectrode results in increased activities and stabilities of GOD and laccase, which enhance power production (442 μW cm −2 at 0.46 V) compared with a basic EFC.