High power enzymatic biofuel cell based on naphthoquinone-mediated oxidation of glucose by glucose oxidase in a carbon nanotube 3D matrix.

We report the design of a novel glucose/O2 biofuel cell (GBFC) integrating carbon nanotube-based 3D bioelectrodes and using naphthoquinone-mediated oxidation of glucose by glucose oxidase and direct oxygen reduction by laccase. The GBFCs exhibit high open circuit voltages of 0.76 V, high current densities of 4.47 mA cm(-2), and maximum power output of 1.54 mW cm(-2), 1.92 mW mL(-1) and 2.67 mW g(-1). The GBFC is able to constantly deliver 0.56 mW h cm(-2) under discharge at 0.5 V, showing among the best in vitro performances for a GBFC. Using a charge pump, the GBFC finally powered a Light Emitting Diode (LED), demonstrating its ability to amplify micro watts to power mW-demanding electronic devices.