Photo-nanozyme coupling catalyzes glucose oxidation for high-performance enzymatic biofuel cells†

Glucose biofuel cells (GBFCs) are special energy conversion devices using naturally abundant glucose as fuel. However, achieving high power output and stability remains a challenge in existing GBFCs. In this study, we created a photoelectric coupling nanozyme catalyst of Au/BiVO₄ with triple synergistic promotion effects: the surface plasmon resonance of Au significantly broadened the photo-absorption region, enhanced the light absorption intensity, and increased the carrier density of BiVO₄; furthermore, the outstanding electron transfer capacity of Au accelerated the photoelectron separation from the vacancies in BiVO₄, endowing BiVO₄ with excellent photo-corrosion resistance; additionally, the three-dimensional structure of BiVO₄ provides abundant sites for Au, remarkably improving the loading and catalytic stability of Au. Consequently, the Au/BiVO₄ catalytic GBFC can simultaneously convert solar and chemical energy stored in glucose into electrical energy, providing an extraordinarily high power density and open-circuit voltage (575 μW cm⁻² and 0.86 V) and working steadily for 20 hours. Altogether, high power output and high stability are achieved in the Au/BiVO₄ catalytic GBFC. Thus, this study will significantly propel the development of GBFCs through the innovative application of the photoelectric coupling nanozyme catalytic strategy.