Research Progress in Enzyme Biofuel Cells Modified Using Nanomaterials and Their Implementation as Self-Powered Sensors

Molecules. 2024 Jan 3;29(1):257. doi: 10.3390/molecules29010257.

Abstract

Enzyme biofuel cells (EBFCs) can convert chemical or biochemical energy in fuel into electrical energy, and therefore have received widespread attention. EBFCs have advantages that traditional fuel cells cannot match, such as a wide range of fuel sources, environmental friendliness, and mild reaction conditions. At present, research on EBFCs mainly focuses on two aspects: one is the use of nanomaterials with excellent properties to construct high-performance EBFCs, and the other is self-powered sensors based on EBFCs. This article reviews the applied nanomaterials based on the working principle of EBFCs, analyzes the design ideas of self-powered sensors based on enzyme biofuel cells, and looks forward to their future research directions and application prospects. This article also points out the key properties of nanomaterials in EBFCs, such as electronic conductivity, biocompatibility, and catalytic activity. And the research on EBFCs is classified according to different research goals, such as improving battery efficiency, expanding the fuel range, and achieving self-powered sensors.

Keywords: chemical-to-electrical energy conversion; enzyme biofuel cells (EBFCs); nanomaterials in EBFCs; self-powered sensors; sustainable energy technology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bioelectric Energy Sources*
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Electricity
  • Electronics
  • Nanostructures*