Carbon fiber electrodes were electrochemically modified with graphene nanosheets in situ deposited in the 3D-structure, characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman scattering methods. The graphenemodified electrodes were further functionalized with PQQ-dependent glucose dehydrogenase and laccase and used for assembling a biofuel cell operating in the presence of oxygen and glucose "fuel". The paper represents novel approach to the production of graphene-functionalized electrodes and their use in biofuel cells, potentially applicable in implantable bioelectronics devices.
Graphene nanosheets were produced on the surface of carbon fibers by in situ electrochemical procedure including oxidative and reductive steps to yield first graphene oxide, later converted to graphene. The electrode material composed of graphene‐functionalized carbon fibers was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cyclic voltammery demonstrating superior electrochemical kinetics comparing with the original carbon paper. The interfacial electron transfer rate for the reversible redox process of [Fe(CN)6]3−/4− was found ca. 4.5‐fold higher after the electrode modification with the graphene nanosheets. The novel electrode material is suggested as a promising conducting interface for bioelectrocatalytic electrodes used in various electrochemical biosensors and biofuel cells, particularly operating in vivo.
Electrodes composed of carbon fibers were modified with graphene nano‐sheets in order to increase their surface area and facilitate electrochemical reactions. Electrocatalytic species, such as Meldola's blue (MB) and hemin were immobilized on the graphene surface due to their π‐π stacking and then used for electrocatalytic oxidation of NADH and reduction of H2O2, respectively. Further modification of these electrodes with enzymes producing NADH and H2O2 in situ (lactate dehydrogenase, LDH, and lactate oxidase, LOx, respectively), allowed assembling of a biofuel cell operating in the presence of lactate, oxygen and NAD+. The cathode of the biofuel cell required lactate and O2 for its operation, while the anode operated in the presence of lactate and NAD+. Notably, both bioelectrocatalytic electrodes operated in the presence of lactate, one producing H2O2 in the reaction catalyzed by LOx in the presence of O2, second producing NADH in the reaction catalyzed by LDH in the presence of NAD+. Both reactions were performed in the biofuel cell without separation of the cathodic and anodic solutions and with no need of a membrane. The biofuel cell was tested in solutions mimicking human sweat and then in real human sweat samples, demonstrating substantial power release being able to activate electronic devices.
Biofuel cells based on electrocatalytic oxidation of NADH and reduction of H2O2 have been prepared using carbon fiber electrodes functionalized with graphene nano‐flakes. The electrochemical oxidation of NADH was catalyzed by Meldola's blue (MB), while the reduction of H2O2 was catalyzed by hemin, both catalysts were adsorbed on the graphene flakes due to their π‐π staking. In the next set of experiments, the MB‐ and hemin‐electrodes were additionally modified with glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) and glucose oxidase (GOx), respectively. The enzyme catalyzed reactions in the presence of glucose, NAD+ and O2 resulted in the production of NADH and H2O2 in situ. The produced NADH and H2O2 were oxidized and reduced, respectively, at the bioelectrocatalytic electrodes, thus producing voltage and current generated by the biofuel cell. The enzyme‐based biofuel cells operated in a human serum solution modelling an implantable device powered from the natural biofluid. Finally, two enzyme‐based biofuel cell connected in series and operating in the serum solution produced electrical power sufficient for activation of an electronic watch used as an example device.
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