Preparation of a ferrocene mediated bioanode for biofuel cells by MWCNTs, polyethylenimine and glutaraldehyde: glucose oxidase immobilization and characterization

Ferrocene groups introduced polyethylenimine was adsorbed onto multi-wall carbon nanotubes attached carbon cloth before crosslinking via glutaraldehyde to develop an enzyme electrode (anode) for biofuel cell applications. Glucose oxidase was covalently immobilized onto this electrode by leftover aldehyde groups on the surface. The apparent Michaelis constant of immobilized enzyme was measured as approximately fivefold higher than that of the free enzyme. Thermal stability of immobilized enzyme was improved as estimated. Activity half-life of the immobilized glucose oxidase was determined as approximately 8 times longer than that of the free one; 2.4 mA/cm(2) electrical current was obtained by using this electrode by forming a basic biofuel half-cell. Copyright (C) 2016 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.