Preparation of hybrid nanocatalysts containing enzymes, carbon nanotubes and metallic nanoparticles for direct electron transfer biofuel cell using PQQ-dependent enzymes

Abstract

The biofuel cell provides a means to obtain clean, renewable energy and has potential for future use as an alternative energy source for low-power electronic devices. Despite some promising characteristics of this technology, many challenges still have to be faced regarding the future application of enzymatic biofuel cells. Some key issues in the development of this device, such as lifetime, stability of enzymes, achievement of higher power densities, overcoming difficulties in the electron transfer between enzymes and electrodes, and the improvement of techniques for enzyme immobilization are still important objects of research.In order to improve the electron transfer rate between the enzyme and the electrode surface, some of the new trends in the catalysts design for biofuel cells include the incorporation of nanoscale materials (such as carbon nanotubes) and metallic nanoparticles into the bioelectrode structure. The integration of metallic nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes with biomolecules may afford hybrid nanobiomaterials with synergistic properties, improving the bioelectrode electroactivity by providing better electrical contact with the enzyme active sites and, consequently fuel oxidation. In the first year of this post-doctorate project supported by FAPESP, we investigated different possibilities in terms of hybrid nanostructured bioelectrodes for ethanol/O2 biofuel cell with mediated electron transfer. Now, in order to continue the Post-doctorate project, we will focus on the development of hybrid nanocatalysts containing enzymes, carbon nanotubes and metallic nanoparticles for direct electron transfer biofuel cell using PQQ(pyrroloquinoline quinone)-dependent enzymes at the University of Utah under supervision of Prof. Dr. Shelley Minteer, renowned expert in the field of biofuel cells. (AU)