Miniature direct electron transfer based sulphite/oxygen enzymatic fuel cells

• Published in: Biosensors & bioelectronics 2015-04, Vol.66, p.39-42
• Main Authors: Zeng, T., Pankratov, D., Falk, M., Leimkühler, S., Shleev, S., Wollenberger, U.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bilirubin oxidase; Bioelectric Energy Sources; Biosensing Techniques - instrumentation; Density; Direct electron transfer; Electrodes; Electron transfer; Electron Transport; Electrons; Enzymatic fuel cell; Enzymes; Enzymes, Immobilized - metabolism; Equipment Design; Fuels; Gold; Humans; Hypocreales - enzymology; Microscale electrode; Myrothecium verrucaria; Nanostructure; Oxidase; Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors - metabolism; Oxygen - metabolism; Polyethylenes; Sulfite Oxidase - metabolism; Sulfites - metabolism; Sulphite oxidase
• ISSN: 0956-5663; 1873-4235; 1873-4235
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2014.10.080

A direct electron transfer (DET) based sulphite/oxygen biofuel cell is reported that utilises human sulphite oxidase (hSOx) and Myrothecium verrucaria bilirubin oxidase (MvBOx) and nanostructured gold electrodes. For bioanode construction, the nanostructured gold microelectrodes were further modified with 3,3′-dithiodipropionic acid di(N-hydroxysuccinimide ester) to which polyethylene imine was covalently attached. hSOx was adsorbed onto this chemically modified nanostructured electrode with high surface loading of electroactive enzyme and in presence of sulphite high anodic bioelectrocatalytic currents were generated with an onset potential of 0.05V vs. NHE. The biocathode contained MvBOx directly adsorbed to the deposited gold nanoparticles for cathodic oxygen reduction starting at 0.71V vs. NHE. Both enzyme electrodes were integrated to a DET-type biofuel cell. Power densities of 8 and 1μWcm−2 were achieved at 0.15V and 0.45V of cell voltages, respectively, with the membrane based biodevices under aerobic conditions. [Display omitted] •A new type of enzymatic biofuel cell incorporating sulphite oxidase and bilirubin oxidase was designed.•A mediatorless sulphite/oxygen biofuel cell is based on DET between electrode and the enzymes hSOx and MvBOx.•Adsorption of both enzymes on a 3d-electrode lead to direct electron transfer and high surface loading.•Electric power generation in both membrane-less and membrane-based condition.