Highly Efficient Porous Enzyme-based Carbonaceous Electrodes Obtained Through Integrative Chemistry

Abstract

This work concerns the search for new electrode materials for efficient biofuel cells applications. Using a hard templating method we prepared carbonaceous electrodes modified further with Glucose Oxidase and Os polymer. The glucose electrooxidation current is 13-fold bigger on the porous electrode than on flat glassy carbon for the same enzyme loading. These electrodes are three dimensional and posses hierarchical porosity, to optimize the need for both surface area and efficient fuel delivery Although, the dependence of the catalytic current with the rotation rate suggests that the size and quantity of the macropores is not yet fully optimized, the electrode preparation protocol is simple and low cost, and can be easily adapted to tune the pore sizes. The mechanical strength and the synthetic route allow for the external shape and size of the electrodes to be designed on demand, an important feature to incorporate electrodes into devices.