NADH/NAD+ Dependent Enzyme/Bucky Paper Based Anode

This research is based on the design of a carbon nano-structured anode for an enzymatic biofuel cell which uses biocatalysts to convert energy stored in organic compounds, such as sugars and alcohols, into electricity. Enzymatic biofuel cells use enzymes to catalyze the oxidation of fuel at the anode and reduction of an oxidant at the cathode. Many of the enzymes used in biofuel cells rely on the oxidation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). NADH oxidation to NAD+ occurs at high over-potential so Methylene Green (MG) is used to catalyze the reaction. MG is deposited onto the nano-structured anode by 10 voltammetric cycles in a range of -0.5V to 1.3V. The carbon nano-structured anode is called “bucky” paper, a composite of multi-walled carbon nanotubes which works well as an electrode material because of its high conductivity. An enzyme is then immobilized onto the polymerized MG ‘bucky” paper. Once an anode is prepared, its performance is evaluated in a solution of biofuel, NAD+ and electrolytes in phosphate buffer of pH7.5. This process is performed using several electrochemical techniques such as an open circuit potential, cyclic voltammetry, and chronoamperommetry. Furthermore, scanning electron spectroscopy (SEM) and electron dispersion spectroscopy (EDS) are used to characterize the surface electrode. The development of enzymatic biofuel cells can lead to a new wave of technology. A wide range of small electrical devices can emerge as a result of a stable, long lasting enzymatic biofuel cell.