Novel Nanotube Buckypaper as Electrode Material for Fuel Cell Applications

We present novel supported electro-catalytic systems based on metallic/bimetallic (Pt, Au-Pt) nanoparticles decorated carbon nanotubes Buckypaper (BP), and Bilirubin Oxidase (BOD) decorated Buckypaper-based biocathodes in neutral medium for direct glucose fuel cell. The electrodes have been tested for their suitability in mixed-reactant biofuel cell applications in a phosphate buffer solution (0.2 M PBS, pH 7.4) containing 10 mM glucose by applying a Potentiodynamic polarization method. High efficiency, stability and catalytic activity are observed for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) that resulted in a high limiting current density for this biocathode. The ability to catalyze electrode reaction via a mediatorless (direct) electron transfer has been demonstrated. The electron is transferred directly from the BP-based electrode to the substrate molecule (O2) via the active site of the enzyme (BOD). Furthermore, enhanced glucose-tolerance and catalytic properties are demonstrated in regards to ORR for abiotic (Pt nanoparticles) BP-based cathode in comparison to AuPt/BPbased electrode. Our decorated-BP exhibits superior properties making it a promising support material for biofuel cell electrodes to power small devices and biosensors.