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Updated: May 15, 2026

Hydrophobic Salt-modified Nafion for Enzyme Immobilization and Stabilization
Published on: July 11, 2012
Membraneless glucose/O2 microfluidic biofuel cells using covalently bound enzymes.
T Beneyton1, I Putu Mahendra Wijaya, C Ben Salem
1Institut de Science et d'Ingénierie Supramoléculaires (ISIS), Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UMR 7006, 8 allée Gaspard Monge, F-67083 Strasbourg Cedex, France.
Researchers created a novel enzyme immobilization method for microfluidic biofuel cells. This technique enables the development of miniaturized glucose/oxygen biofuel cells using carbon nanotube electrodes and extremophilic laccase.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Enzyme immobilization is crucial for biofuel cell stability and performance.
- Microfluidic devices offer miniaturization and precise control for electrochemical applications.
- Developing robust immobilization techniques compatible with fabrication processes is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a new covalent enzyme immobilization technique compatible with lithography.
- To fabricate Y-shaped membraneless glucose/oxygen microfluidic biofuel cells.
- To investigate the use of an extremophilic laccase in these devices.
Main Methods:
- Covalent enzyme immobilization on carbon nanotube electrodes.
- Lithography-based patterning of electrodes on glass slides.
- Fabrication of Y-shaped microfluidic channels.
- Integration of Bacillus subtilis CotA laccase in the cathodic compartment.
Main Results:
- Successful development of a lithography-compatible covalent enzyme immobilization method.
- Fabrication of functional Y-shaped membraneless glucose/oxygen microfluidic biofuel cells.
- Demonstration of an extremophilic laccase (CotA) in miniaturized biofuel cells.
Conclusions:
- The developed enzyme immobilization technique is suitable for microfluidic biofuel cell fabrication.
- Miniaturized glucose/oxygen biofuel cells can be effectively constructed using this method.
- Extremophilic enzymes show potential for use in advanced biofuel cell designs.
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