A polyaniline wrapped aminated graphene composite on nickel foam as three-dimensional electrodes for enzymatic microfuel cells

Abstract

Three dimensional flow-through electrodes made of Ni foam coated with aminated graphene and polyaniline composites are studied for enzymatic glucose based microfuel cells. The composites of aminated graphene and polyaniline were prepared by in situ aniline polymerization with aminated graphene in different ratios. The prepared composites were characterized using XRD, FTIR and SEM. Pristine aminated graphene, polyaniline and various ratios of both were dip-coated on Ni foam and tested as a three-dimensional electrode in enzymatic microfuel cells. The enzyme was physically adsorbed and covalently bonded using a cross-linker on the electrode surface and in some cases; the electrode surface was functionalized before covalent attachment of enzyme and tested for an anode half-cell. The electrochemical studies demonstrated that the composite performed better than the pristine and was more promising when it was functionalized and enzymes where covalently bonded to the electrode surface. The maximum power density was observed as 118 μW cm⁻² for the composite.