A Membraneless Glucose/O2 Biofuel Cell Based on Pd Aerogels

• Published in: Chemistry : a European journal Vol. 20; no. 15; pp. 4380 - 4385
• Main Authors: Wen, Dan, Liu, Wei, Herrmann, Anne-Kristin, Eychmüller, Alexander
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 07.04.2014; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: aerogels; biofuel cells; Chemistry; direct electrocatalysis; enzymes; glucose; palladium
• ISSN: 0947-6539; 1521-3765
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.201304635

In this study, we introduce the first membraneless glucose/O2 biofuel cell using Pd‐based aerogels as electrode materials. The bioanode was fabricated with a coimmobilized mediator and glucose oxidase for the oxidation of glucose, in which ferrocenecarboxylic acid was integrated into a three‐dimensional porous beta‐cyclodextrin‐modified Pd aerogel to mediate the bioelectrocatalytic reaction. Bilirubin oxidase and Pd–Pt alloy aerogel were confined to an electrode surface, which realized the direct bioelectrocatalytic function for the reduction of O2 to H2O with a synergetic effect at the biocathode. By employing these two bioelectrodes, the assembled glucose/O2 biofuel cell showed a maximum power output of 20 μW cm−2 at 0.25 V. Powered up: A membraneless glucose/O2 biofuel cell based on Pd aerogels was assembled for the first time. Ferrocenecarboxylic acid was immobilized in the cyclodextrin‐modified Pd aerogel, which efficiently supported the anodic biocatalyst and mediated the biooxidation of glucose. Bilirubin oxidase coupled with a Pd–Pt aerogel realized the direct electrocatalytic reduction towards O2 at the biocathode (see scheme).