A hybrid biofuel cell based on electrooxidation of glucose using ultra-small silicon nanoparticles

• Published in: Biosensors & bioelectronics Vol. 24; no. 10; pp. 3103 - 3107
• Main Authors: Choi, Yongki, Wang, Gang, Nayfeh, Munir H., Yau, Siu-Tung
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 15.06.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Bioelectric Energy Sources; Biofuel cell; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical Engineering; Biotechnology; Electrocatalyst; Electrochemical Techniques; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glucose - chemistry; Hybrid fuel cell; Nanoparticle; Nanoparticles; Oxidation-Reduction; Silicon; Electrocatalyst; Hybrid fuel cell; Biofuel cell; Nanoparticle; biofuel cell; Hybrid; Silicon; Glucose; Fuel cell
• ISSN: 0956-5663; 1873-4235
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2009.03.032

The ultra-small silicon nanoparticle was shown to be an electrocatalyst for the electrooxidation of glucose. The oxidation appeared to be a first order reaction which involves the transfer of 1 electron. The oxidation potential showed a low onset of −0.4 V vs. Ag/AgCl (−0.62 V vs. RHE). The particle was used as the anode catalyst of a prototype hybrid biofuel cell, which operated on glucose and hydrogen peroxide. The output power of the hybrid cell showed a dependence on the enzymes used as the cathode catalyst. The power density was optimized to 3.7 μW/cm 2 when horseradish peroxidase was replaced by microperoxidase-11 (MP-11). Comparing the output power of the hybrid cell to that of a biofuel cell indicates enhanced cell performance due to the fast reaction kinetics of the particle. The long-term stability of the hybrid cell was characterized by monitoring the cell voltage for 5 days. It appeared to that the robustness of the silicon particle resulted in more cell stability compared to the long-term performance of a biofuel cell.