A high performance nanocomposite based bioanode for biofuel cell and biosensor application.

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Improving current density and sensitivity is crucial for biofuel cells and glucose sensing.
• Existing bioanode materials often face limitations in performance and stability.
• Nanocomposite materials offer potential for enhanced electrochemical properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a novel bioanode for improved glucose sensing and biofuel cell applications.
• To enhance current density and sensitivity using a redox polymer and polydopamine-coated carbon nanotube nanocomposite.
• To evaluate the performance and stability of the developed bioanode.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a polydopamine (PDA) coated multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposite.
• Preparation of a redox polymer (PEI-Fc) binding PEI-Fc/PDA/MWCNT nanocomposite via self-assembly.
• Characterization of the nanocomposite and bioanode using electrochemical techniques like linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and amperometry.
• Testing the bioanode's performance with varying glucose concentrations and in human serum samples.

Main Results:

• Achieved a maximum current density of 0.73 mA cm⁻² with 20 mM glucose.
• Demonstrated a high sensitivity of 57.2 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻² and a linear range up to 4 mM.
• Exhibited a fast response time (2 s) and a low limit of detection (0.024 mM).
• The polydopamine layer significantly improved the sensitivity and stability of the bioanode for glucose sensing.

Conclusions:

• The PEI-Fc/PDA/MWCNT nanocomposite provides an excellent functional material for glucose biosensors and biofuel cells.
• The facile self-assembled method offers a promising approach for creating advanced electrochemical sensing materials.
• The developed bioanode shows high performance and stability, suitable for detecting glucose in biological samples like human serum.