A gas breathing hydrogen/air biofuel cell comprising a redox polymer/hydrogenase-based bioanode.

ABSTRACT: Hydrogen is one of the most promising alternatives for fossil fuels. However, the power output of hydrogen/oxygen fuel cells is often restricted by mass transport limitations of the substrate. Here, we present a dual-gas breathing H₂/air biofuel cell that overcomes these limitations. The cell is equipped with a hydrogen-oxidizing redox polymer/hydrogenase gas-breathing bioanode and an oxygen-reducing bilirubin oxidase gas-breathing biocathode (operated in a direct electron transfer regime). The bioanode consists of a two layer system with a redox polymer-based adhesion layer and an active, redox polymer/hydrogenase top layer. The redox polymers protect the biocatalyst from high potentials and oxygen damage. The bioanodes show remarkable current densities of up to 8?mA?cm^-2. A maximum power density of 3.6?mW?cm^-2 at 0.7?V and an open circuit voltage of up to 1.13?V were achieved in biofuel cell tests, representing outstanding values for a device that is based on a redox polymer-based hydrogenase bioanode.

SUBMITTER: Szczesny J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6226449 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature