Abstract
In this research, we aimed to establish a guideline for designing electron mediators suitable for biofuel cells. A redox potential simulator was fabricated by combining density functional theory calculation and experiment, allowing us to select molecules with appropriate redox potentials efficiently. Previously, mediators have been developed depending on the trials and errors; thus, our strategy will speed up the development of biofuel cells with outstanding performances.
Highlights
The demand for alternative resources of fossil fuels has triggered us to develop new energy systems
Modified electrodes for Biofuel cells (BFCs) have been proposed to address this issue; a high power density of 2.67 mW g−1 was achieved by employing carbon nanotubes [4], and stable BFC was fabricated by immobilizing enzymes on electrodes using a sol-gel matrix or polymer [5, 6]
Phenazine (6), which has not been employed as MED in BFCs so far, whereas used in organic batteries [23], was found as a candidate core structure with a desirable redox potential of −0.35 V
Summary
The demand for alternative resources of fossil fuels has triggered us to develop new energy systems. BFCs are biocompatible and operative at mild temperatures (20 ◦C–40 ◦C) and a nearly neutral pH; applications in a wide range of electronic devices, including wireless wearable smart sensors and implantable biomedical devices, have been actively investigated [1,2,3] Despite these advantages, BFCs have not participated in the practical application due to the limited power density. Modified electrodes for BFCs have been proposed to address this issue; a high power density of 2.67 mW g−1 was achieved by employing carbon nanotubes [4], and stable BFC was fabricated by immobilizing enzymes on electrodes using a sol-gel matrix or polymer [5, 6] As another approach, mediated electron transfer (MET) through redox-active molecules, so-called electron mediators (MEDs), have been employed. Metal complexes, such as osmium and iron complexes [14, 15], and redox-active organic compounds, such as naphthoquinones, are potential candidates of MEDs in BFCs
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