Carbon nanotubes with platinum nano-islands as glucose biofuel cell electrodes

A novel method using intense pulsed light (IPL) for the metal nano-island formation on carbon nanotube (CNT) was introduced. The IPL-induced photothermal dewetting process improved platinum (Pt) catalyst utilization by transforming nano-islands from Pt film on CNT and increasing the surface area for the subsequent sputtering. The irradiation of high intensity of light on the Pt film causes surface-energy-driven diffusion of Pt atoms and forms the array of nano-islands on CNT. The thickness of Pt film can change the size of nano-islands. Cyclic voltammetry showed a dramatically improved glucose oxidation at the IPL morphology modified Pt–CNT electrode compared to the Pt sputtered CNT electrode without IPL irradiation. The power densities of glucose/air biofuel cell based on the morphology modified Pt–CNT electrode and the as-sputtered Pt–CNT electrode were 0.768 μW/cm2 and 0.178 μW/cm2, respectively. The biofuel cell based on morphology modified Pt–CNT electrode showed highly stable output in long-term performance. The power density dropped 14.1% in 30 days. Efforts are underway to improve the interface transfer to achieve higher potential and current output.