A laccase-glucose oxidase biofuel cell prototype operating in a physiological buffer

Here we report on the design and study of a biofuel cell consisting of a glucose oxidase-based anode (Aspergillus niger) and a laccase-based cathode (Trametes versicolor) using osmium-based redox polymers as mediators of the biocatalysts' electron transfer at graphite electrode surfaces. The graphite electrodes of the device are modified with the deposition and immobilization of the appropriate enzyme and the osmium redox polymer mediator. A redox polymer [Os(4,4'-diamino-2,2'bipyridine)(2)(poly{N-vinylimidazole})-(poly{N-vinylimidazole})(9)Cl]Cl (E-0' = -0.110 V versus Ag/AgCl) of moderately low redox potential is used for the glucose oxidizing anode and a redox polymer [Os(phenanthroline)(2)(poly{N-vinylimidazole})(2)-(poly{N-vinylimidazole})(8)]Cl-2 (E-0' = 0.49V versus Ag/AgCl) of moderately high redox potential is used at the dioxygen reducing cathode. The enzyme and redox polymer are cross-linked with polyoxyethylene bis(glycidyl ether). The working biofuel cell was studied under air at 37 degrees C in a 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution of pH range 4.4-7.4, containing 0.1 M sodium chloride and 10 mM glucose. Under physiological conditions (pH 7.4) maximum power density, evaluated from the geometric area of the electrode, reached 16 mu W/cm(2) at a cell voltage of 0.25 V. At lower pH values maximum power density was 40 mu W/cm(2) at 0.4 V (pH 5.5) and 10 mu W/cm(2) at 0.3 V (pH 4.4). (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.