High current density PQQ-dependent alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenase bioanodes

Author(s)

Aquino Neto, Sidney ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Hickey, David P. ^[1] ; Milton, Ross D. ^{[2, 3]} ; De Andrade, Adalgisa R. ^[1] ; Minteer, Shelley D. ^{[2, 3]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Quim, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Preto, BR-14040901 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Utah, Dept Chem, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 - USA

^[3] Univ Utah, Dept Mat Sci & Engn, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS; v. 72, p. 247-254, OCT 15 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 16

Abstract

In this paper, we explore the bioelectrooxidation of ethanol using pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-dependent alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ADH and AldDH) enzymes for biofuel cell applications. The bioanode architectures were designed with both direct electron transfer (DET) and mediated electron transfer (MET) mechanisms employing high surface area materials such as multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and MWCNT-decorated gold nanoparticles, along with different immobilization techniques. Three different polymeric matrices were tested (tetrabutyl ammonium bromide (TBAB)modified Nafion; octyl-modified linear polyethyleneimine (C-8-LPEI); and cellulose) in the DET studies. The modified Nafion membrane provided the best electrical communication between enzymes and the electrode surface, with catalytic currents as high as 16.8 +/- 2.1 mu A cm(-2). Then, a series of ferrocene redox polymers were evaluated for MET. The redox polymer 1,1'-dimethylferrocene-modified linear polyethyleneimine (FcMe(2)-C-3-LPEI) provided the best electrochemical response. Using this polymer, the electrochemical assays conducted in the presence of MWCNTs and MWCNTs-Au indicated a J(max) of 781 +/- 59 mu A cm(-2) and 925 +/- 68 mu A cm(-2), respectively. Overall, from the results obtained here, DET using the PQQ-dependent ADH and AldDH still lacks high current density, while the bioanodes that operate via MET employing ferrocene-modified LPEI redox polymers show efficient energy conversion capability in ethanol/air biofuel cells. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/10667-0 - Preparation of hybrid nanocatalysts containing enzymes, carbon nanotubes and metallic nanoparticles for EtOH/O2 biofuel cell
• Grantee: Sidney de Aquino Neto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 14/00536-0 - Preparation of hybrid nanocatalysts containing enzymes, carbon nanotubes and metallic nanoparticles for direct electron transfer biofuel cell using PQQ-dependent enzymes
• Grantee: Sidney de Aquino Neto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor