Abstract
Enzymatic fuel cells convert the chemical energy of biofuels into electrical energy. Unlike traditional fuel cell types, which are mainly based on metal catalysts, the enzymatic fuel cells employ enzymes as catalysts. This fuel cell type can be used as an implantable power source for a variety of medical devices used in modern medicine to administer drugs, treat ailments and monitor bodily functions. Some advantages in comparison to conventional fuel cells include a simple fuel cell design and lower cost of the main fuel cell components, however they suffer from severe kinetic limitations mainly due to inefficiency in electron transfer between the enzyme and the electrode surface. In this review article, the major research activities concerned with the enzymatic fuel cells (anode and cathode development, system design, modeling) by highlighting the current problems (low cell voltage, low current density, stability) will be presented.
Highlights
Enzymatic fuel cells are a type of fuel cells, which employ enzymes instead of conventional noble metal catalysts
A charge transfer complex (CTC), formed by TTF and tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), which was grown on polypyrrole surface and covered with protective gelatin layer was employed by our group as a glucose oxidation anode [77]
The Direct Electron Transfer (DET) mechanism is usually evidenced by appearance of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)/FADH2 redox peak, but these studies failed to show oxidation currents in presence of glucose which could be probably taken as an indication of absence of DET in the case of GOx
Summary
Enzymatic fuel cells are a type of fuel cells, which employ enzymes (biocatalysts) instead of conventional noble metal catalysts. Biocatalysts are inexpensive and their extended usage is expected to lower the cost of production, opposed to transition metal catalysts due to their limited availability They are highly efficient systems exhibiting high turnover numbers, selectivity and activity under mild conditions (neutral pH and near-body temperature). Redox proteins tend to exhibit their superior catalytic properties exclusively in their natural environment or, in other words, nature did not evolve enzymes for bioelectrocatalytical applications This is usually manifested by the difficulty in establishing electrical communication between the protein and the electrode surface and by the limited stability of the biocatalyst-electrode assembly. The extensive reviews by Barton et al [8] and Bullen et al [9] are worth noting They provide a useful roadmap by discussing general aspects, fundamental definitions and classification in biofuel cell research. We have rather highlighted some of the accomplishments in biofuel cell development and discussed the recent trends in this research field
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