Enzymatic

Fuel Cell
By- Siddarth Durga
Sarthak Parmar
SCOPE OF THE PRESENTATION
Enzymatic fuel cell working
&mechanisms
Fuels that can be used
Enzymes to be used for corresponding
fuels
Electrodes to be used
Comparision with ordinary fuel cells
Problems and Solutions
 What Is Enzymatic Fuel Cell?
AnEnzymaticbiofuelcellis
a specific type offuel
cellthat usesenzymes as acatalysttooxidizeits
fuel, rather than precious metals
MECHANISMS
Fuels Used
GLUCOSE AS FUEL
The most common reaction studied for glucose fuel cells is the
oxidation of glucose to gluconolactone and the reduction of oxygen
to water
C6H12O6 + H2O C6H12O7 + 2H+ + 2e-
O2 + 2H+ + 2e- H2O
This reaction provides 2 electrons per mole of glucose and a
maximum reversible cell voltage of 1.3 V.
In principle, the complete oxidation of glucose to carbon dioxide
and water could provide 24 electrons per molecule, although in
practice this reaction is difficult to achieve.
Most dietary Carbohydrates contain glucose which Includes
bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, vegetables, fruit, sugar, yogurt,
and milk.
Glucose Oxidase
Theglucose oxidaseenzyme (GOx) also known
asnotatinis anoxido-reductasethat catalyses the
oxidation ofglucosetohydrogen peroxideandD-
glucono-lactone

It is often extracted from Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus

flavus and Penicillium sp. and is also found in honey

It is a stable enzyme, which is very specific in nature

and available easily
Derivates of ferrocene can be used as mediators
adsorbed on polyethylimine
HYDROGEN AS FUEL
Steam reforming-of methanol to produce hydrogen

Anode
oxidation

Cathode
reduction

Overall reaction
redox reaction

The water-methanol mixture is introduced into a tube-shaped

reactor where it makes contact with the catalyst. Hydrogen is
then separated from the other reactants and products in a later
chamber, by using a membrane where the majority of the
hydrogen passes through.
common operating temperatures are in the range 50120 C,
where high temperatures are usually pressurized
Hydrogenase
Ahydrogenaseis anenzymethatcatalysesthe
reversibleoxidationof molecularhydrogen(H2).
H2 2 H++ 2 e-
Hydrogenases are sub-classified into three different types based
on the active site metal content:
1. Iron-iron hydrogenase-They are extremely sensitive to
inactivation by dioxygen (O2). Found in strict anaerobes such
asClostridium pasteurianumandMegasphaera elsdenii.
2. Nickel-iron hydrogenase- The enzyme can be obtained from
ralstonia eutropha and knall gas bacteria.it can be isolated from the
photosynthetic purple sulfur bacteriumAllochromatium vinosumand
its crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis are reported. It was
crystallized by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method using
sodium citrate and imidazole as crystallization agents.
3. Iron hydrogenase- Not used in Fuel cells.
Follows Direct electron Transfer mechanism
ELECTRODES
Carbon Black Nanomaterial - High Porosity, Surface
area and conductivity Protein molecules adsorb onto CBN
principally via hydrophobic-hydrophobic interactions: the
interaction can be close enough to allow DET
Carbon nanotubes - SWNT allows the conductive
surface of the nanotube to physically access redox active
sites, thus increasing the conductivity
MWNT Helps in adsorbtion of more amount enzyme due
to multiple surfaces thus increasing the reaction surface
area
A 3-D porous electrode can be used instead of one that
is planar
Advantages Over Ordinary
Fuel Cells
Enzymes are relatively easy to mass-produce and so benefit
fromeconomies of scale, whereas precious metals must be
mined and are expensive
The fuel for enzymatic biofuel cells is extremely cheapand
can be grown in massive scale
Enzymes are not prone as platinum to deactivation due to
surface poisoning
Enzymatic oxidation occurs at relatively mild conditions
(Neutral pH and ambient temperature) compared to
conventional fuel cells
Due to the specificity of the reaction, eliminates the need
for separator and housing components thus the cell
miniaturised
 Problems Of Enzymatic Fuel Cell?
Enzyme immobilization-
Animmobilized enzymeis anenzymethat is attached to an
inert material. Providing increased resistance to changes in
conditions (pH& temperature).
Enzymes are held in place throughout the reaction, thus are easily
separated from the products and may be used again.
Enzymes must be immobilized on the electrode in such a way that
it can exchange electrons directly with the electrode to facilitate the
transfer of electrons.
Poor immobilization causes low power density and short lifetime.
Immobilization Strategies:,

1. Physical Adsorption.
2. Entrapment in polymer matrices.
3. Covalent Bonding.
 Enzyme Size
Due to the larger sizes of enzymes(5nm dia) compared to
1- 5nm of Pt catalyst, limits the possible electrode
coverage.

Solution:
To increase the density of enzyme present on the electrode
to maintain fuel cell activity, a porous electrode can be
used instead of one that is planar.
An alternative is to form films withgraphiteparticles
adsorbed with enzyme inside apolymer matrix. The
graphite particles then can collect and transport electrons
to the electrode surface.
Entrapment of enzymes in polymers & use of redox
mediators.
Carbon nanotubes can be used as electrodes as they are
very porous and conductive.
 Oxidative damage-
O2inactivates most hydrogenases with the exception of
[NiFe] throughdiffusion of O2to the active site followed by
destructive modification of theactive site.

O2is the fuel at the cathode and therefore must be

physically separated or else the hydrogenase enzymes at the
anode would be inactivated.
Solution:
To avoid inactivation by O2, a proton exchange membrane
can be used to separate the anode and cathode
compartments such that O2is unable to diffuse to and
destructively modify the active site of hydrogenase.