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Mediator-free glucose/O2 biofuel cell based on a 3-dimensional glucose oxidase/SWNT/polypyrrole composite electrode

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Abstract

In this study, a mediator-free glucose/O2 bio-fuel cell was developed based on a 3-dimensional carbon nanomaterial/polypyrrole composite with glucose oxidase and tyrosinase as the anodic and cathodic catalysts, respectively. This mediator-free biofuel cell has the following merits: (1) the biocatalyst was unaffected by toxic mediators and (2) current generation is independent, because there is no problem associated with mediator leakage from the electrode. The carbon nanomaterial in this 3-dimensional composite was used not only as immobilization support for the biocatalyst, but also as an electron carrier. This would be advantageous for glucose oxidation on the bioanode and O2 reduction on the biocathode in the glucose/O2 biofuel cell. This biofuel cell showed enhanced power density and half-life compared to other glucose/O2 biofuel cells previously reported, producing 157.4 μW/cm3 with 1 mM glucose as fuel and 0.5 M NaCl as the electrolyte, at a cell voltage of +85 mV over 29 h with continuous 1 mM glucose feeding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-744, Korea

    Kyoungseon Min & Young Je Yoo

  2. Graduate School of Knowledge-based Technology and Energy, Korea Polytechnic University, Siheung, 429-923, Korea

    Ji Heon Ryu

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  1. Kyoungseon Min
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  2. Ji Heon Ryu
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  3. Young Je Yoo
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Correspondence to Young Je Yoo.

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Min, K., Ryu, J.H. & Yoo, Y.J. Mediator-free glucose/O2 biofuel cell based on a 3-dimensional glucose oxidase/SWNT/polypyrrole composite electrode. Biotechnol Bioproc E 15, 371–375 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12257-009-3034-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12257-009-3034-z

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