Study of interface enzyme/graphene/electrode for application in glucose/O2 biofuel cells

• Grant number: 13/03836-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2013
• End date: March 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Frank Nelson Crespilho
• Grantee: Rodrigo Mitiuye Bosquê de Carvalho
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Biofuel cells (BFCs) can be described as bioelectrochemical devices responsible for the conversion of chemical energy originated from the biochemical reaction into electrical energy. The aim characteristic of the BFCs is the presence of enzymes and/or microorganisms used as biological catalysts used in bioanodes and biocathodes. The study of BFCs has been much explored in the last years due to the possibility to use the so-called "biobateries" for several applications such as implantable devices. Nowadays, BFCs are less attractive due to their lower power output and one of the main challenges today is to improve this kind of bioelectrochemical devices using electrochemical redox mediators and nanomaterials to improve the communication between enzymes and electrode surfaces using appropriate enzyme immobilization methodologies. Concerning the importance of using sustainable and renewable forms for energy generation, the aim purpose of this project is the development of an enzymatic BFC using flexible carbon fiber (FCF) for the obtention of anode and biocathode. The anode will be obtained by immobilization of glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) and the biocathode by the immobilization of enzyme laccase(Lc) adsorbed physically onto FCF electrodes. Also, the electrochemical redox mediator methylene green (MG) will be used to obtain poly(methylene green)(PMG) by electrochemical polymerization. Finally, the study of the electrocatalytic activity of the immobilized enzymes will be one of the aim focuses of this project. For this purpose, cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry will be used to study the electrochemical behavior of FCF-modified electrodes in half-cell and unit-cell experiments. (AU)