Journal of Energy Bioscience 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 314-325 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/jeb 314 Feature Review Open Access Design and Performance Optimization of Enzyme-Catalyzed Biofuel Cells May H. Wang , Liting Wang Hainan Institute of Biotechnology, Haikou, 570206, Hainan, China Corresponding email: manh.wang@hibio.org Journal of Energy Bioscience, 2024, Vol.15, No.5 doi: 10.5376/jeb.2024.15.0029 Received: 19 Aug., 2024 Accepted: 28 Sep., 2024 Published: 14 Oct., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Wang and Wang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Wang M.H., and Wang L.T., 2024, Design and performance optimization of enzyme-catalyzed biofuel cells, Journal of Energy Bioscience, 15(5): 314-325 (doi: 10.5376/jeb.2024.15.0029) Abstract Significant progress has been made in improving the stability and catalytic efficiency of the enzymes used in enzyme-catalyzed biofuel cells (EBFC) by addressing key challenges such as enzyme stability, electron transfer efficiency, and power density to design and optimize the performance of EBFCs. For instance, the use of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) and cascaded enzymes-glucose oxidase (GOx)/horseradish peroxidase (HRP) co-embedded hydrophilic MAF-7 biocatalyst resulted in an 8-fold increase in power density and a 13-fold increase in stability in human blood compared to unprotected enzymes. Additionally, the development of multi-enzyme catalysis strategies and the use of nanomaterials such as carbon nanodots and CNT sponges have shown notable improvements in power output and enzyme lifetime. Directed evolution techniques have also been employed to enhance the activity and pH stability of diaphorase, leading to a 4- to 7-fold increase in catalytic activity under acidic conditions. The findings of this study demonstrate that the integration of advanced nanomaterials and enzyme engineering techniques can significantly improve the performance of EBFCs. These improvements pave the way for the practical application of EBFCs in wearable and implantable medical devices, offering a sustainable and efficient energy source. Keywords Enzyme-catalyzed biofuel cells; Enzyme stability; Electron transfer; Power density; Nanomaterials; Directed evolution; Wearable devices; Implantable devices 1 Introduction Biofuel cells (BFCs) are innovative energy conversion devices that utilize biocatalysts to transform chemical energy into electrical energy. These devices have garnered significant attention due to their potential to provide sustainable and green energy solutions. BFCs can be categorized based on the type of biocatalyst used, including microbial fuel cells (MFCs), enzyme biofuel cells (EBFCs), organelle biofuel cells (OBFCs), and photocatalytic fuel cells (PFCs) (Zhang et al., 2021). Among these, EBFCs are particularly notable for their ability to operate under mild conditions, such as physiological temperatures and near-neutral pH, making them suitable for applications in medical implants, biosensors, and other devices (Zhang et al., 2021). Enzyme-catalyzed biofuel cells (EBFCs) leverage the high specificity and catalytic efficiency of enzymes to convert bio-sourced fuels into electrical energy. These enzymes, such as glucose oxidase and laccase, offer several advantages over traditional metal catalysts, including lower cost, renewability, and biodegradability (Barelli et al., 2021). EBFCs have shown promise in a variety of applications, from powering implantable medical devices to serving as energy sources for portable electronic devices and self-powered sensors (Meredith and Minteer, 2012; Cosnier et al. 2016). The ability of EBFCs to generate electricity from body fluids, such as glucose in blood, further underscores their potential in biomedical applications (Cosnier et al. 2016; Liang, 2024). Despite their potential, EBFCs face several challenges that hinder their widespread adoption. Key issues include low power density, short operational lifetimes, and stability concerns (Barelli et al., 2021; Zhang et al., 2021; Zhou et al., 2023). The immobilization of enzymes on conductive materials with high specific surface area and good biocompatibility has been identified as a critical factor in addressing these challenges (Zhang et al., 2021). Recent advancements in nanomaterials, such as carbon and metal nanomaterials, have shown promise in enhancing the performance and stability of EBFCs (Zhang et al., 2021). Additionally, innovative electrode designs and enzyme immobilization techniques are being explored to improve electron transfer rates and overall cell efficiency (Cooney et al., 2008; Zhou et al., 2023).
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