Fabrication and Validation of a Nano Engineered Glucose Powered Biofuel Cell

Abstract:

Fuel Cells are important forms of sustainable power generation and Biofuel Cells

utilize the use of bio-compatible/biodegradable molecules as fuels. Glucose is an

ideal candidate to serve this purpose. In this project, a Glucose Fuel Cell (GFC) has

been fabricated using the nanomaterials developed in the lab. The skeletal system

of this GFC is a three-layered structure; a Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA)

composed of carbon electrodes (anode and cathode) and a Poly Vinyl

Alcohol/Poly Acrylic Acid (PVA/PAA) polymer electrolyte. Gold and Silver (Au and

Ag) nanoparticles are utilized as catalyst on the anode and cathode respectively,

which are prepared by the use of green chemistry practice. One of the GFC has

been compacted under hot press and the other non-hot pressed. ,which led to

different surface areas. For the validation of the GFC stacks, the glucose

concentration was selected around biologically available levels, i.e at 400 mg/dL

in both the cases. One trial on hot pressed membrane with 200 mg/dL of glucose

is also studied. Short Circuit Current (SCC) and Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) were

measured following which the voltages and currents were measured across load

resistances. The Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning

Calorimetry (DSC) studies were carried out on the membrane while the electrodes

were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). UV-Vis studies were

carried out on the Au and Ag nanoparticle suspension before and after

impregnation of carbon cloth electrodes. Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical

Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES) has been utilized to estimate the concentration

and thus the number of nanoparticles adsorbed on the surface of the carbon

cloth. The variations of output current with the thickness of the membranes were

studied. The assembly containing the catalytic particles showed power levels

ranging between 128.7 nW-332.2 nW in the glucose concentration of 400 mg/dL.

Rigorous efforts are under process to scale down the power consumption of

electronics to extremely low levels. GFCs could be used as power generators in

such devices. The inexpensiveness of the fuel is a remarkable factor.