Search

Development of bifunctional catalysts with low platinum (Pt) content for the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) and the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is highly desirable, yet challenging. Herein, we present structural engineering of a series of two-dimensional/three-dimensional (2D/3D) hierarchical N-doped graphene-supported nanosized Pt

Herein, we developed an efficient anode catalyst for alcohol biofuel cell by integrating multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into an isoreticular metal organic framework derived porous carbon. The derived porous carbon (PC) intercalated by MWCNTs (PC/MWCNTs) serviced as the anode component in catalyzing the electrooxidation of reduced β-Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), enabling catalysis to ethanol electrooxidation by alcohol dehydrogenase with NAD+ as both free coenzyme and electron transfer mediators (onset potential, 0.14 V vs. SCE, pH 8.0). Hierarchy of PC/MWCNTs with micro-, meso-, and macropores provides improved immobilization of electroactive enzymes, aids the facile transportations of electrolyte and increases the conductivity and specific surface areas of anode and results in a much higher catalytic current density for NADH (1.17 mA cm−2 for 10 mM NADH, pH 9.0) and alcohol bioanode (maximum steady-state current density, 0.25 ± 0.03 mA cm−2, pH 8.0) than its singular component analogues (PC and MWCNTs). The high Michaelis-Menten constant (166 ± 16.8 mM) favorites the detection of ethanol at high concentrations. The linear range of ethanol is 10–300 mM, with the sensitivity and detection limit as 24 nA mM−1 and 3 mM. The study applies porous carbon nanomaterials as both electrocatalysts for coenzyme and scaffolds for enzymes, benefiting to feasible constructions of bioelectrodes with notable current densities.