Aryl and N-arylamide carbon nanotubes for electrical coupling of laccase to electrodes in biofuel cells and biobatteries

Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were equipped with aryl residues by chemical reactions. These insoluble materials were used to substitute classical soluble mediators, which help to transfer electrical charge between the conducting electrode and the redox active center of enzyme molecules. The effect of different aryl residues on the efficiency of the catalytic reduction of dioxygen in the presence of laccase was systematically studied using voltammetry and measuring the power output of a biofuel cell.