![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.egr.msu.edu\/~scb-group-web\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/Fig-1-FigureAlt.omnigraffle1.png\" "\\"Fig")
<\/a>Methanol Biofuel Cell: Multistep Enzyme Catalysis and Co-factor Mediated Electron Transfer<\/p><\/div>\n
A new paper by Piyush Kar et al. is now available in JES on simulation of a methanol biofuel cell operating on multistep enzymatic oxidation.<\/p>\n
Performance of enzymatic biofuel cells can be affected by a variety of factors that include electrode area, enzyme concentration, pH and concentrations of fuel and co-factor. By simulating complete oxidation of methanol in multiple enzymatic steps coupled with co-factor mediated electron transfer, we illustrate potential improvement in performance that may be enabled by improved electrode design. Our analysis suggests that current density exceeding 10 mA cm\u0002-2<\/sup> can be achieved with optimal electrode design. Cell performance depends on co-factor (NAD+<\/sup>) transport and reduced co-factor (NADH) oxidation kinetics for electrode specific areas lower than 3 m2<\/sup> cm-\u00023<\/sup> and is controlled by enzyme kinetics at higher specific areas.<\/p>\n P. Kar, H. Wen, H. Li, S. D. Minteer and S. C. Barton, \u201cSimulation of Multistep Enzyme-Catalyzed Methanol Oxidation in Biofuel Cells,\u201d Journal of the Electrochemical Society<\/em>, 158<\/strong>(5), B580-B586 (2011). link<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A new paper by Piyush Kar et al. is now available in JES on simulation of a methanol biofuel cell operating on multistep enzymatic oxidation. Performance of enzymatic biofuel cells can be affected by a variety of factors that … Continue reading