A gas breathing hydrogen/air biofuel cell comprising a redox polymer/hydrogenase-based bioanode

Nat Commun. 2018 Nov 9;9(1):4715. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-07137-6.

Abstract

Hydrogen is one of the most promising alternatives for fossil fuels. However, the power output of hydrogen/oxygen fuel cells is often restricted by mass transport limitations of the substrate. Here, we present a dual-gas breathing H2/air biofuel cell that overcomes these limitations. The cell is equipped with a hydrogen-oxidizing redox polymer/hydrogenase gas-breathing bioanode and an oxygen-reducing bilirubin oxidase gas-breathing biocathode (operated in a direct electron transfer regime). The bioanode consists of a two layer system with a redox polymer-based adhesion layer and an active, redox polymer/hydrogenase top layer. The redox polymers protect the biocatalyst from high potentials and oxygen damage. The bioanodes show remarkable current densities of up to 8 mA cm-2. A maximum power density of 3.6 mW cm-2 at 0.7 V and an open circuit voltage of up to 1.13 V were achieved in biofuel cell tests, representing outstanding values for a device that is based on a redox polymer-based hydrogenase bioanode.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air*
  • Biofuels / analysis*
  • Electrochemistry
  • Electrodes
  • Hydrogen / chemistry*
  • Hydrogenase / metabolism*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Polymers / chemistry*

Substances

  • Biofuels
  • Polymers
  • Hydrogen
  • Hydrogenase