A flexible and disposable battery powered by bacteria using eyeliner coated paper electrodes

Biosens Bioelectron. 2017 Aug 15:94:464-470. doi: 10.1016/j.bios.2017.03.020. Epub 2017 Mar 9.

Abstract

Herein, an environment friendly paper-based biobattery is demonstrated that yields a power of 12.5W/m3. Whatman filter papers were used not only as support for electrode fabrication but also as separator of the biobattery. To provide electrical conductivity to the paper-based cathode and anode, commercially available eyeliner containing carbon nanoparticles and Fe3O4 was directly employed as conductive ink without any binder. With an instant start-up, the as-fabricated biocompatible electrodes could hold bacteria in an active form at the anode allowing chemical oxidation of organic fuel producing current. The facile process delineated here can be employed for the tailored electrode fabrication of various flexible energy harnessing devices.

Keywords: Air-cathode; Electrodes; Microbial fuel cells; Nanoparticles; Paper-based devices.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / chemistry
  • Bioelectric Energy Sources / microbiology
  • Biosensing Techniques*
  • Carbon / chemistry*
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Electrodes
  • Graphite / chemistry
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Paper

Substances

  • Carbon
  • Graphite