Original Research Paper

Performance of a Glucose/O2 Enzymatic Biofuel Cell Containing a Mediated Melanocarpus albomyces Laccase Cathode in a Physiological Buffer

  1. P. Kavanagh,
  2. S. Boland,
  3. P. Jenkins,
  4. D. Leech

Article first published online: 16 SEP 2008

DOI: 10.1002/fuce.200800037

Issue

Fuel Cells

Fuel Cells

Special Issue: “Biofuel Cells”

Volume 9, Issue 1, pages 79–84, February, 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Kavanagh, P., Boland, S., Jenkins, P. and Leech, D. (2009), Performance of a Glucose/O2 Enzymatic Biofuel Cell Containing a Mediated Melanocarpus albomyces Laccase Cathode in a Physiological Buffer. Fuel Cells, 9: 79–84. doi: 10.1002/fuce.200800037

Author Information

  1. Department of Chemistry, National University of Ireland, University Road, Galway, Ireland

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 11 FEB 2009
  2. Article first published online: 16 SEP 2008
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 27 AUG 2008
  4. Manuscript Received: 19 MAY 2008

Funded by

  • European Union. Grant Number: NMP4-CT-2006-017350
  • Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Ireland). Grant Number: 2006–2013
  • Environmental Change Institute, NUI Galway

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

Get PDF (267K)

Keywords:

  • Biocathode;
  • Biofuel cell;
  • Laccase;
  • Osmium Complexes;
  • Oxygen reduction

Abstract

We report on the performance of a prototype glucose/O2 biofuel cell in a physiological buffer. The cell consists of cathode based on Melanocarpus albomyces laccase (with a reported T1 copper redox potential of + 0.26 V vs. Ag/AgCl) co-immobilised with an osmium redox polymer mediating film on glassy carbon (GC) separated by a Nafion 117 membrane from a GC anode in anolyte of glucose oxidase, N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD) as a mediator, all immersed in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer solution containing 0.15 M NaCl and dissolved oxygen, thermostated at 37 °C, mimicking physiological conditions. Two osmium redox polymers are employed for cathodic mediation: [Os(2,2′-bipyridine)2(polyvinylimidazole)10Cl]+/2+ (E°′ 0.22 V vs. Ag/AgCl) and [Os(4,4′-dichloro-2,2′-bipyridine)2(polyvinylimidazole)10Cl]+/2+ (E°′ 0.35 V vs. Ag/AgCl). Power outputs of 52 μW cm–2 at 0.21 V and 17 μW cm–2 at 0.34 V were obtained for assembled fuel cells containing the respective redox polymer-mediated laccase cathodes, illustrating the increased power obtained as a result of higher biocatalytic efficiency using a redox polymer with redox potential tailored for the enzyme.

Get PDF (267K)