A novel poly(propylene-co-imidazole) based biofuel cell: System optimization and operation for energy generation

• Gold nanoparticles provided faster electron transfer in the circuit.
• The maximum power density of 5 μW cm− 2 was generated at + 0.56 V cell potential.
• The cell can be easily operated for in vivo mediums.

This study describes the construction of an enzymatic fuel cell comprised of novel gold nanoparticles embedded poly(propylene-co-imidazole) coated anode and cathode. Working electrode fabrication steps and operational conditions for the fuel cell have been optimized to get enhanced power output. Electrical generation capacity of the optimized cell was tested by using the municipal wastewater sample. The enzymatic fuel cell system reached to maximum power density with 1 μg and 8 μg of polymer quantity and bilirubin oxidase on electrode surface, respectively. The maximum power output was calculated to be 5 μW cm− 2 at + 0.56 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4, 100 mM, 20 °C) by the addition of 15 mM of glucose as a fuel source. The optimized enzymatic fuel cell generated a power density of 0.46 μW cm− 2 for the municipal wastewater sample. Poly(propylene-co-imidazole) was easily used for a fuel cell system owing to its metallic nanoparticle content. The developed fuel cell will play a significant role for energy conversion by using glucose readily found in wastewater and in vivo mediums.

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