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A gas breathing hydrogen/air biofuel cell comprising a redox polymer/hydrogenase-based bioanode

Author

Listed:
  • Julian Szczesny

    (Ruhr-Universität Bochum)

  • Nikola Marković

    (Ruhr-Universität Bochum)

  • Felipe Conzuelo

    (Ruhr-Universität Bochum)

  • Sónia Zacarias

    (Universidade Nova de Lisboa)

  • Inês A. C. Pereira

    (Universidade Nova de Lisboa)

  • Wolfgang Lubitz

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Chemische Energiekonversion)

  • Nicolas Plumeré

    (Ruhr-Universität Bochum)

  • Wolfgang Schuhmann

    (Ruhr-Universität Bochum)

  • Adrian Ruff

    (Ruhr-Universität Bochum)

Abstract

Hydrogen is one of the most promising alternatives for fossil fuels. However, the power output of hydrogen/oxygen fuel cells is often restricted by mass transport limitations of the substrate. Here, we present a dual-gas breathing H2/air biofuel cell that overcomes these limitations. The cell is equipped with a hydrogen-oxidizing redox polymer/hydrogenase gas-breathing bioanode and an oxygen-reducing bilirubin oxidase gas-breathing biocathode (operated in a direct electron transfer regime). The bioanode consists of a two layer system with a redox polymer-based adhesion layer and an active, redox polymer/hydrogenase top layer. The redox polymers protect the biocatalyst from high potentials and oxygen damage. The bioanodes show remarkable current densities of up to 8 mA cm-2. A maximum power density of 3.6 mW cm-2 at 0.7 V and an open circuit voltage of up to 1.13 V were achieved in biofuel cell tests, representing outstanding values for a device that is based on a redox polymer-based hydrogenase bioanode.

Suggested Citation

  • Julian Szczesny & Nikola Marković & Felipe Conzuelo & Sónia Zacarias & Inês A. C. Pereira & Wolfgang Lubitz & Nicolas Plumeré & Wolfgang Schuhmann & Adrian Ruff, 2018. "A gas breathing hydrogen/air biofuel cell comprising a redox polymer/hydrogenase-based bioanode," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-07137-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07137-6
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