Capillary force pumping fluid for glucose oxidase enzymatic fuel cells

Abstract

A micro-fluidic channel plate for self-pumping glucose oxidase enzymatic fuel cell is designed and fabricated. The fuel is driven into the fuel cell using capillary force without any extra pump. The fuel cell structure design includes both end plates and micro-fluidic flow channel plate. Three reservoirs are fabricated into the end plate. According to the experimental analysis the cathode and anode flow rate are less than ideal flow rate. The anode and cathode flow rate are 0.499 and 0.764 μl s⁻¹, respectively. The capillary driven liquid efficiency of anode and cathode flow field are 36 and 53 %, respectively. The Tafel test result for self-pumping fluid enzymatic fuel cell achieves a power output 0.534 mW cm⁻² (111.217 mW cm⁻³). Compared to the active pumping method, the passive (self-pumping) method shows lower output power. However, the current output performance from long term experiments at a constant voltage of 0.42 V indicated that the self-pumping fluid enzymatic fuel cell may work stably under a continuous fuel supply. It provides a bio-pumping power solution source different from current power generators.