An Integrated Bio Anode Using Yeast Extract for a High Temperature Glucose Fuel Cell

Abstract

By modifying the carbon electrode with a yeast extract (YE) using a support material (SM), a complete bioanode was established without adding any extrinsic enzymes and mediators in a glucose–air fuel cell. The yeast extract was mixed into a paste with carbon black and an SM, i.e., glutaraldehyde (GA), TritonX100, polyethyleneglycol, chitosan, or agarose. Chitosan was the best support, producing lower overpotentials and a good stability. Optimization of the paste composition and its loading were carried out for the bioanode of a glucose–air fuel cell. The fuel cell generated a power of 33 خ¼W cm−2 at 333 K with an aqueous glucose solution without adding any extrinsic enzymes and mediators. It showed about 70% of the initial power output at a stable condition. The bioanode is expected to be used for energy recovery from hot wastewatercontaining glucose.