Enzymatic biofuel cell optimization and anode characterization

Biofuel cells capable of converting glucose into electricity are of significant importance for the powering of medically implantable devices and for use with sugar rich agricultural waste. However, two large problems need to be tackled before these cells are of commercial value, i.e., enzyme stability and power density. In light of this, glucose oxidase electrodes were prepared using nanostructured materials such as carbon fibers and carbon nanotubes. A discussion covers optimum glucose concentration; mediator concentration; feed flow rate; operating temperature; and buffer type and concentration. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 2006 AIChE Annual Meeting (San Francisco, CA 11/12-17/2006).