Enzymatic biofuel cells: 30 years of critical advancements

Abstract

Enzymatic biofuel cells are bioelectronic devices that utilize oxidoreductase enzymes to catalyze the conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy. This review details the advancements in the field of enzymatic biofuel cells over the last 30 years. These advancements include strategies for improving operational stability and electrochemical performance, as well as device fabrication for a variety of applications, including implantable biofuel cells and self-powered sensors. It also discusses the current scientific and engineering challenges in the field that will need to be addressed in the future for commercial viability of the technology.

An enzymatic glucose/O2 biofuel cell operating in human blood

“…Enzymatic glucose/O 2 biofuel cells, miniature and implantable in the human body, may power in the near future implanted medical devices (Heller, 2006b;Leech et al, 2012;Rasmussen et al, 2016;Sode et al, 2016;Willner et al, 2009). They are composed of glucose oxidizing anodes made with enzymes such as glucose oxidase (GOx), glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) or cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) and O 2 reducing cathodes made with laccase or bilirubin oxidase (BOD) (Gao et al, 2009(Gao et al, , 2010Kavanagh and Leech, 2013;Le Goff et al, 2015;Ludwig et al, 2010;Mano and Edembe, 2013).…”

Al-Based porous coordination polymer derived nanoporous carbon for immobilization of glucose oxidase and its application in glucose/O2 biofuel cell and biosensor

“…[7][8][9][10] Judicious choice of the biocompatible materials for immobilization of GOx is the key step to construct a bioanode. 3,11,12 Therefore, exploring new electrode materials for the immobilization of GOx is highly desirable for biofuel cell construction.…”

Cholesterol as a Promising Alternative Energy Source: Bioelectrocatalytic Oxidation Using NAD-Dependent Cholesterol Dehydrogenase in Human Serum

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] During recent decades, an exhaustive list of EFCs can be found in the literature aiming to exploit these alternative sources or to develop self-powered electrochemical biosensors working in vitro or in vivo. 6 In EFCs, the fuels undergo bioelectrocatalytic oxidation at the anode operating commonly with flavin adenine dinucleotide-dependent (FAD) oxidases and dehydrogenases as well as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotidedependent (NAD) dehydrogenases. 5,[9][10][11] Metalloenzymes, such as laccases, bilirubin oxidase and peroxidase, are generally used at the cathode of EFCs allowing the bioelectrocatalytic reduction of O 2 or peroxides to H 2 O.…”