Improving the performance and stability of the self-pumping enzymatic biofuel cell via employing CC-CNT/PEI[PCA/GOx]/Na

Abstract

The self-pumping enzymatic biofuel cell (self-pumping EBC) has recently attracted much attention in fuel cell technology due to its distinct feature in enabling automatic fuel delivery as well as employing the enzyme as a catalyst, rather than precious metal to oxidize the fuel. The self-pumping EBC driven by a capillary force of micro-fluidic channel plate empowers an alternative to implantable applications. In this regard, our group demonstrates that the new biocatalyst anodic electrode of CC-CNT/PEI[PCA/GOx]/Nafion can enhance a stability of the enzyme immobilization on the surfaces of conductive carbon cloth. The experimental results show that the self-pumping EBC using CC-CNT/PEI[PCA/GOx]/Na via PCA/GOx combined with CNT/PEI with the addition of Nafion solution as a bio-anodic electrode has a better performance. The self-pumping EBC using CC-CNT/PEI[PCA/GOx]/Na can produce the highest power density of around 2.3 mWcm-2 and remain stable at 85% of its initial value after 10 working days. Such an improvement can be ascribed to the formation of Nafion polymer firm to prevent the exfoliation of GOx enzyme as well as the formation of π-conjugated bonds that are beneficial for electron transfer pathways and π-hydrogen bonds recently activated by the PCA/GOx composite for enhancing stability.