Performance Study of Flexible Biofuel Cell Based on PtAu Anode Catalysts

doi:10.6023/A24060196

Abstract

The rapid growth of flexible electronics has led to various wearable sensors, circuit, and storage devices. The glucose biofuel cell (GFC) is a device capable of converting the chemical energy from glucose fuel into electrical energy, with a wide range of applications in self-powered wearable medical devices. In this study, a PtAu nanoparticle catalyst was synthesized for the catalysis of glucose in a neutral environment through an ultrasound-assisted method. This method offers the advantages of simple operation, short reaction time, and environmental friendliness. In the synthesis of PtAu catalyst, drying is unnecessary, but the catalyst concentration must be carefully controlled to maintain its catalytic effectiveness. The morphology and structure of the PtAu catalysts were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS). The PtAu catalysts were immobilized on a carbon cloth (CC) to construct the anode of flexible GFC. The study investigated the impact of electrochemically active area, varying sweep rates, and pH values on the catalytic performance, demonstrating the PtAu catalyst’s commendable activity and durability for glucose catalysis. Furthermore, a solid manganese dioxide (MnO₂) material was synthesized through a simple hydrothermal method. The morphology and structure MnO₂ were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and XRD. The prepared solid MnO₂ material was applied to the CC as the cathode of flexible GFC to address issues such as low oxygen solubility and slow O₂ reduction kinetics in solution. Linear scanning voltammetry (LSV) was employed to examine the influence of glucose on MnO₂. In addition, the effects of various mechanical deformations on the anode and cathode were studied, demonstrating their strong mechanical strain capacity. A membrane-less flexible GFC prepared using a PtAu/CC anode and a MnO₂/CC cathode achieved a maximum power density (P_max) of 22.61 μW•cm⁻² and an open circuit voltage (E^OCV) of 0.439 V, surpassing previous reports in the literature, demonstrating its potential for wearable applications. Notably, the flexible GFC maintains consistent power density and E^OCV even after repeated bending, highlighting its stability.

Key words: PtAu catalyst, solid manganese dioxide electrode, flexible glucose biofuel cell, glucose electrocatalytic oxidation

Cite this article

Tingqiang Xu. Performance Study of Flexible Biofuel Cell Based on PtAu Anode Catalysts[J]. Acta Chimica Sinica, 2024, 82(10): 1022-1030.

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Fig. & Tab. 11

Figure 1. Schematic diagram of flexible GFC composition

Figure 2. Schematic diagram the synthetic procedure for PtAu catalyst (A); TEM image (B), XRD pattern (C) of PtAu; XPS spectrum of Au 4f (D) and Pt 4f (E)

Figure 3. SEM image and XRD pattern of MnO2

Figure 4. EIS curves of CC (a) and PtAu/CC (b)

Figure 5. (A) CV curve of PtAu/CC in the 0.5 mol?L?1 H2SO4 solution with saturated Ar (scan rate: 50 mV?s?1); (B) CV curves of PtAu/CC in the 0.2 mol?L?1 PBS (pH 7.0) solution with or without 10 mmol?L?1 glucose (scan rate: 20 mV?s?1); (C) CV curves of PtAu/CC in the 0.2 mol?L?1 PBS (pH 7.0) solution with 10 mmol?L?1 glucose at different scan rates (scan rates: 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mV?s?1); (D) linear relationship between redox peak current density and scan rate, bottom solution 0.2 mol?L?1 PBS (pH 7.0); (E) CV curves of PtAu/CC in the 0.2 mol?L?1 PBS solution with 10 mmol?L?1 glucose at different pH values (pH=6, 7, 8, 9 and 10); (F) CV curves of PtAu/CC in the 0.2 mol?L?1 PBS (pH 7.0) solution with 10 mmol?L?1 glucose at 100 consecutive scan cycles (scan rate: 50 mV?s?1)

Figure 6. Schematic diagram for the mechanism of glucose oxidation catalyzed by the PtAu catalyst in the 0.2 mol?L?1 PBS (pH 7.0) solution: (A) hydrogen region; (B) double layer region; (C) oxidation region

Figure 7. (A) EIS curves of CC (a) and MnO2/CC (b); (B) LSV curves of MnO2/CC in the 0.2 mol?L?1 PBS (pH 7.0) solution with and without 30 mmol?L?1 glucose

Figure 8. (A) Photographic images of electrodes in different bending states (convex, concave, and twisted); (B) EIS image after electrode deformation; (C) CV curves of PtAu/CC before and after in the 0.2 mol?L?1 PBS (pH 7.0) solution with 30 mmol?L?1 glucose (scan rate: 50 mV?s?1); (D) LSV curves of MnO2/CC before and after in the 0.2 mol?L?1 PBS (pH 7.0) solution

Figure 9. (A) EOCV of MnO2/CC flexible cathode (a) and PtAu/CC flexible anode (b) in the 0.2 mol?L?1 PBS (pH 7.0) solution; (B) the polarization curve (a) and power density (b) for the EOCV, bottom liquid: 0.2 mol?L?1 PBS (pH 7.0) solution containing 30 mmol?L?1 glucose; (C) the influence of different bending states on the performance of flexible GFC; (D) the influence of bending (convex) cycle on the performance of flexible GFC

阳极材料	阴极材料	葡萄糖浓度/ (mmol•L⁻¹)	E^OCV/V	P_max/ (μW•cm⁻²)	参考文献
Raney-Pt	Porous-Pt	8	—	4.4	[31]
PtPd	Pt/C	500	0.616	27.6	[16]
Pt₇₀Ni₃₀	Pt₇₀Ni₃₀	3	0.460	7.2	[32]
Au	Graphene	500	0.82	10.7	[33]
PtAu	MnO₂	30	0.439	22.61	本工作

Table 1. Performance comparison of this work with GFC reported in the literature

Figure 10. SEM images of CC (A, B), PtAu/CC (C, D) and MnO2/CC (E, F)

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