A “Press and Go” Thin Biofuel Cell Patch for Power Generation

Biao Leng, Kavya Vanamamulai, Qin Zhong, Iqbal Sherif, Nuggehalli M. Ravindra, Zafar Iqbal

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Biofuel cells are devices that generate portable electrical power, typically from glucose, alcohols or related biofuels, by using enzymatic anodes and cathodes. We report on the performance of membrane- and mediator-free enzymatic glucose biofuel cells (BFCs) fabricated in a sandwiched, patch geometry with carbon nanotube nanopaper bio-electrodes prepared using a compression technique to immobilize the enzymes. A gel electrolyte comprised of agar mixed with glucose is sandwiched between the two bio-electrodes to form a patch. Power densities up to 111.90 μW/cm2 at a current density of 334.50 μA/cm2 at a voltage of 0.335 V were obtained for a typical single cell BFC of this design. The sandwich BFC also showed good stability with a half-life of about 1.5 days under continuous operation. The relatively high power density for this new design is attributed to the compression-induced immobilization of the enzymes by the nanotubes as indicated by scanning electron microscope images. This compression-induced immobilization of enzymes provides improved direct electron transfer at the carbon nanotube electrodes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3706-3710
Number of pages5
JournalJOM
Volume71
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2019

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Materials Science
  • General Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A “Press and Go” Thin Biofuel Cell Patch for Power Generation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this