Carbon nanotubes with platinum nano-islands as glucose biofuel cell electrodes.
A novel method using intense pulsed light (IPL) for the metal nano-island formation on carbon nanotube (CNT) was introduced. The IPL-induced photothermal dewetting process improved platinum (Pt) catalyst utilization by transforming nano-islands from Pt film on CNT and increasing the surface area for the subsequent sputtering. The irradiation of high intensity of light on the Pt film causes surface-energy-driven diffusion of Pt atoms and forms the array of nano-islands on CNT. The thickness of Pt film can change the size of nano-islands. Cyclic voltammetry showed a dramatically improved glucose oxidation at the IPL morphology modified Pt-CNT electrode compared to the Pt sputtered CNT electrode without IPL irradiation. The power densities of glucose/air biofuel cell based on the morphology modified Pt-CNT electrode and the as-sputtered Pt-CNT electrode were 0.768 microW/cm(2) and 0.178 microW/cm(2), respectively. The biofuel cell based on morphology modified Pt-CNT electrode showed highly stable output in long-term performance. The power density dropped 14.1% in 30 days. Efforts are underway to improve the interface transfer to achieve higher potential and current output.
Ryu
Jongeun
J
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, 420 Westwood Plz., Engineering IV, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1597, USA. ryujongeun@ucla.edu
Kim
Hak-Sung
HS
Hahn
H Thomas
HT
Lashmore
David
D
D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004566:Electrodes; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005947:Glucose / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D008027:Light; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure
D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D005947:Glucose