Enzymatic Glucose-Oxygen Biofuel Cells for Highly Efficient Interfacial Corrosion Protection

Abstract

Biofuel cells (BFCs) are electrochemical devices that rely on the transformation of chemical energy into electricity through biochemical pathways, however delivering only modest or low power and voltage. This intrinsic limitation narrows their potential applications for driving electronics and thermodynamic systems with higher energy demands than what can be delivered by the BFCs alone. Nevertheless, coupling BFCs to electronic circuits, able to raise their voltage, allows circumventing these drawbacks. In this proof-of-concept study, we demonstrate an unconventional way of achieving highly efficient electrochemical corrosion protection of an iron surface in a chloride rich medium. The required protecting cathodic potential is generated by a self-powered bioelectronic system, consisting of a BFC, which can, despite its low voltage 2 output (0.3V), completely prevent interfacial corrosion if it is combined with an electronic boost converter.

Recent bio-applications of covalent organic framework-based nanomaterials

“…Conventional nanomaterials like gold nanoparticles (GNPs), 114,115 enzyme-based nanomaterials, 116,117 and transition metal dichal-cogenides (TMDs) 118,119 have been fully explored as functional biosensors. 120 Among them, the expensive cost of GNPs hinders their further application expansion.…”

Biofuels-related materials deterioration in biorefineries, transportation and internal combustion engines: a technical review

“…On the contrary, some researchers have reported the decrease in corrosion rate at higher temperatures. They believe this behaviour is the result of severe oxygen consumption by biofuel degradation reactions, causing less residual dissolved oxygen and mitigation of byproducts formation reactions [36].…”