Recent Advances in Enzymatic Fuel Cells: Experiments and Modeling

Autor: Ivan Ivanov, Tanja Vidaković-Koch, Kai Sundmacher
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2010
Předmět:
Zdroj: Energies, Vol 3, Iss 4, Pp 803-846 (2010)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1996-1073
DOI: 10.3390/en3040803
Popis: Enzymatic fuel cells convert the chemical energy of biofuels into electrical energy. Unlike traditional fuel cell types, which are mainly based on metal catalysts, the enzymatic fuel cells employ enzymes as catalysts. This fuel cell type can be used as an implantable power source for a variety of medical devices used in modern medicine to administer drugs, treat ailments and monitor bodily functions. Some advantages in comparison to conventional fuel cells include a simple fuel cell design and lower cost of the main fuel cell components, however they suffer from severe kinetic limitations mainly due to inefficiency in electron transfer between the enzyme and the electrode surface. In this review article, the major research activities concerned with the enzymatic fuel cells (anode and cathode development, system design, modeling) by highlighting the current problems (low cell voltage, low current density, stability) will be presented.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals