Solar biosupercapacitor

Abstract

Here we report on an entirely new kind of bioelectronic device – a solar biosupercapacitor, which is built from a dual-feature photobioanode combined with a double-function enzymatic cathode. The self-charging biodevice, based on transparent nanostructured indium tin oxide electrodes modified with biological catalysts, i.e. thylakoid membranes and bilirubin oxidase, is able to capacitively store electricity produced by direct conversion of radiant energy into electric energy. When self-charged during 10min, using ambient light only, the biosupercapacitor provided a maximum of 6mWm−2 at 0.20V.