This work demonstrates a new approach for building bioinorganic interfaces by integrating biologically derived silica with single-walled carbon nanotubes to create a conductive matrix for immobilization of enzymes. Such a strategy not only allows simple integration into biodevices but presents an opportunity to intimately interface an enzyme and manifest direct electron transfer features. Biologically synthesized silica/carbon nanotube/enzyme composites are evaluated electrochemically and characterized by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Voltammetry of the composites displayed stable oxidation and reduction peaks at an optimal potential close to that of the FAD/FADH(2) cofactor of immobilized glucose oxidase. The immobilized enzyme is stable for a period of one month and retains catalytic activity for the oxidation of glucose. It is demonstrated that the resulting composite can be successfully integrated into functional bioelectrodes for biosensor and biofuel cell applications.

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The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is an enabling process for technologies in the area of energy conversion and storage, but its slow kinetics limits its efficiency. We performed an electrochemical evaluation of 14 different perovskites of variable composition and stoichiometry as OER electrocatalysts in alkaline media. We particularly focused on improved methods for a reliable comparison of catalyst activity. From initial electrochemical results we selected the most active samples for further optimization of electrode preparation and testing. An inverted cell configuration facilitated gas bubble detachment and thus minimized blockage of the active surface area. We describe parameters, such as the presence of specific cations, stoichiometry, and conductivity, that are important for obtaining electroactive perovskites for OER. Conductive additives enhanced the current and decreased the apparent overpotential of OER for one of the most active samples (La(0.58)Sr(0.4)Fe(0.8)Co(0.2)O(3)).

The incorporation of Fe-Nx/C moieties into perovskites remarkably activates them for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and also leads to notable improvement of their activity towards the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) thus presenting a new route for realizing high performance, low cost bifunctional catalysts for reversible oxygen electrodes.

High-quality graphene oxide (GO) with high crystallinity and electrical conductivity as well as in situ doped with nitrogen and sulfur is obtained via the electrochemical exfoliation of graphite. Furthermore, iron incorporated GO sheets show promising catalytic activity and stable methanol tolerance durability when used as electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction.

This research introduces a cavity anode design based on new single-walled nanotube (SWNTs) papers, "bucky" papers, used for the oxidation (and regeneration) of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and the oxidation of l-malate. The materials designed are paper-like processed composites containing also additives: BP11 sample contains SWNTs and isopropanol (IPA); the BPMG sample contains SWNTs, IPA, and methylene green (MG). NADH/NAD(+) is the cofactor responsible for the oxidation of l-malate by malate dehydrogenase (MDH), in the Krebs' cycle. Because of the high overpotential of NADH oxidation, poly methylene green (PMG) was utilized as the electrocatalyst to produce NAD(+). The electrocatalyst was deposited on the surface of the "bucky" papers by electropolymerization by means of 10 voltammetric cycles in a range of -0.5 V and +1.3 V (vs Ag/AgCl reference electrode) at a scan rate of 5 mV/s. The catalytic performance of PMG was evaluated by chronoamperometric measurements of NADH oxidation at 0.3 V in phosphate buffer and l-malate oxidation at 0.1 V in the presence of MDH. For both "bucky" papers, the chronoamperometric curves of PMG, current vs NADH concentration, show a linear relationship demonstrating to have a first order Fick's law behavior for concentrations of NADH lower than 6 mM. The chronoamperometric curves in the presence of MDH, current against l-malate concentration, show a Michaelis-Menten behavior where no inhibition or competitive reaction are detected. Additionally, the anodic materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), the polymerization of MG is effectively observed in the form of particles nucleation. The anodes show an excellent electrocatalytic activity toward NADH oxidation. The electrode design is feasible, reproducible, and overall stable.

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This paper investigates the utility of cross -lab comparative analysis of electrocatalytic electrode performance using standardized modular stack cells and test protocols. Using poly(methylene green)-modified glassy carbon electrodes as the model system, we characterized electrode fabrication and performance with respect to the catalytic oxidation of NADH at neutral pH and low overpotential. Three sets of experiments were duplicated across four independent laboratories and the experimental results from each set were analyzed and compared in terms of key electroanalytical parameters. Statistical analyses were performed at three distinct levels: 1) the standard deviation among repetitive cycles within an experiment; 2) the standard deviation among repetitive experiments in the same laboratory, and 3) the standard deviation among experiments performed across all four laboratories. Using predefined criteria of reproducibility for each level, most parameters were found to be statistically reproducible at most levels. When a particular parameter was found to be irreproducible in a given level, commentary is given on how that information can be used diagnose what chemical/physical aspects of the process were uncontrolled or poorly understood and therefore candidates for future research. This exercise, which is presented as a proof -of-principle step towards the concept of standardizing electrocatalytic evaluation, illustrates the importance of executing electrochemical characterization protocols across several labs and using fixed geometry and dimensions, system configuration, and applied electrochemical conditions. Future work is under way to extend these principles to systems with fluid flow.