Enzymatic biofuel cells based on protective hydrophobic carbon paste electrodes: towards epidermal bioenergy harvesting in the acidic sweat environment

Author(s)

Sempionatto, Juliane R. ^[1] ; Raymundo-Pereira, Paulo A. ^{[2, 1]} ; Azeredo, Nathalia F. B. ^{[3, 1]} ; De Loyola e Silva, Andre N. ^[1] ; Angnes, Lucio ^[3] ; Wang, Joseph ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Calif San Diego, Dept NanoEngn, San Diego, CA 92103 - USA

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Sao Carlos Inst Phys, Sao Carlos - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Fundamental Chem, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS; v. 56, n. 13, p. 2004-2007, FEB 14 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The operation of wearable epidermal biofuel cells is prone to rapid irreversible deactivation effects under dynamic sweat pH changes from neutral to acidic. We demonstrate that the encapsulation of lactate-oxidase (LOx) within a hydrophobic protective carbon-paste anode imparts unusually high stability during dynamically changing pH fluctuations and allows the BFC to continue harvesting the lactate bioenergy even after long exposures to acidic conditions. The unique power-recovery ability of the carbon-paste BFC after its failure in harsh pH is attributed to the protective action of the non-polar paste environment. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/26666-6 - Flexible sensors for detecting biomarkers with non-invasive procedures
• Grantee: Paulo Augusto Raymundo Pereira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor