High-power density output in enzymatic fuel cells is
a key feature
to reduce the size of self-powered implantable medical devices. Electron
transfer mediated through redox polyelectrolytes allows the transport
of electrons from enzymes away from the electrode, improving the current
output. It is known that doping ions in polyelectrolytes introduce
relevant characteristics in the generation of assemblies regarding
mass adsorption and stiffness. In this work, binary 1:1 sodium salts
(NaX; X = F–, Cl–, Br–, NO3
–, ClO4
–) were studied as doping ions of two redox polyelectrolytes (osmium-based
branched polyethyleneimine and osmium-based linear polyallylamine)
to enhance the adsorption and electron transfer process in glucose
oxidase/redox polyelectrolyte assemblies. Cyclic voltammetry, polarization
modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy, quartz crystal
microbalance with dissipation, and atomic force microscopy were used
to understand the growth mechanism of these films and their performance.
Ion hydrophobicity plays a key role, bromide being the one that generates
the greater absorption and the best electron transfer efficiency for
both redox polyelectrolytes. Branched polyethyleneimine doped with
bromide was the best combination for the construction of bioanodes.
Its application on an O2–glucose enzymatic fuel
cell yields a power density output of 2.5 mW cm–2, achieving state-of-the-art performance.