Section A: Enzyme-Based Biofuel Cells

Development of a Chitosan Scaffold Electrode for Fuel Cell Applications

  1. Carolin Lau1,
  2. Georgianna Martin2,
  3. Shelley D. Minteer2,
  4. Michael J. Cooney3

Article first published online: 9 MAR 2010

DOI: 10.1002/elan.200880004

Issue

Electroanalysis

Electroanalysis

Special Issue: Biofuel Cells

Volume 22, Issue 7-8, pages 793–798, April 2010

Additional Information

How to Cite

Lau, C., Martin, G., Minteer, Shelley D. and Cooney, Michael J. (2010), Development of a Chitosan Scaffold Electrode for Fuel Cell Applications. Electroanalysis, 22: 793–798. doi: 10.1002/elan.200880004

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering, University of New Mexico, Alburquerque New Mexico, 87131, USA

  2. 2

    Department of Chemistry, St. Louis University, St. Louis Missouri, 63103, USA

  3. 3

    Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, University of Hawaii, Honolulu Hawaii 96822, USA

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 1 APR 2010
  2. Article first published online: 9 MAR 2010
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 1 OCT 2009
  4. Manuscript Received: 15 JUN 2008

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Keywords:

  • Enzyme immobilization;
  • Chitosan polymer;
  • Fluorescence;
  • Enzyme activity;
  • Fuel cells

Abstract

Hydrophobically modified chitosan has been proposed for enzyme immobilization and stabilization at bioelectrodes in biofuel cells. In this paper, we analytically evaluate the attributes of employing hydrophobically modified chitosan molded into high porosity scaffolds to improve enzyme activity and mass transport of malate dehydrogenase bioelectrodes. Results suggest that the hydrophobically modified chitosan can alter catalytic activity of malate dehydrogenase and that scaffold structure improves power density over chitosan thin films. Fluorescence measurements are also presented that correlate the improved activity to alterations in the amphiphilic nature of the chemical microenvironment (immediately surrounding the enzyme) that the modified chitosan affords. Commentary is also given on how mass transport through the chitosan matrix can be improved in order to achieve higher power densities.

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