Development of a biofuel cell of glucose/oxygen: utilization of the technique of microfluidics

• Grant number: 08/03414-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: August 01, 2008
• End date: February 28, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Ernesto Rafael Gonzalez
• Grantee: Gustavo Pio Marchesi Krall Ciniciato
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 04/10788-5 - Fundamental and applied studies of the electrode processes on low temperature fuel cells, AP.TEM

Abstract

This work is dedicated to the development and study of a biofuel cell funcionalized from enzymmatic electrodes prepared to use the glucose as fuel in the anode acting. Will be studied also new forms of immobilization of enzymes on the surface of different electrodic materials, using conducting polymers to the entrapment of enzymes and agents of linkage to proteins. Moreover, the application will be studied with mediators, both entraped as solubilized, in the process of electrons transfer between the enzymes and electrodic surface. The amount of adsorbed enzymes and the effect of desorption of them in the solution will be studied by techniques of nanogravimetry, using an electrochemical crystal nanobalance. The characterization of eletrodic materials will be held through electrochemical techniques including cyclic voltammetry, cronoamperometry and current-potential polarization in stationary state, in concomitance the use of the technique of rotating disk electrode. The electrochemical experiments allow evalutate the biocatalytic activities of the enzymes used. In order to better understanding of the processes involved in mechanistic bioelectrocatalytic reactions, and how these processess dependo in the variables inherent to each reaction system, we want to achieve the construction of mathematical models used in computer simulation of system in order to build situations that can reproduce with relative procisely the phenomena that occur in cells during the processo of conversion of biochemical energy into electricity. Finally, it will also conducted experiments in a cell adapted to the microfluidic system, where it will be possible to study the functioning of the biocatalytic system in a setting of continuous flow, with the constant renewal of the substrate under various flow speeds. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

CINICIATO, Gustavo Pio Marchesi Krall. Development of microfluidic glucose/oxygen biofuel cells. 2013. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC/BT) São Carlos.