A low-potential glucose biofuel cell anode based on a toluidine blue modified redox polymer and the flavodehydrogenase domain of cellobiose dehydrogenase

A pH-dependent, two-electron transfer redox polymer was synthesized based on a methacrylate backbone with tunable properties covalently modified with toluidine blue (P017-TB). Entrapment of the isolated flavodehydrogenase domain of cellobiose dehydrogenase from Myriococcum thermophilum (FAD-MtCDH) within P017-TB is the basis for low-potential bioanode with an open circuit potential of − 240 mV vs. Ag/AgCl and a maximum current density of 60 μA cm− 2 at − 150 mV. Together with a bilirubin oxidase biocathode a biofuel cell with an open circuit voltage of 720 mV and a power density of 6.1 μW cm− 2 was obtained.

► A novel two-electron transfer redox polymer based on toluidine blue ► A low-potential bioanode with an open-circuit potential of − 240 mV ► A new type of enzymatic biofuel cell with substantially enhanced open circuit voltage of > 720 mV ► An enzymatic biofuel cell with a maximum power density of 6.1 μW cm− 2 at 500 mV