An easy compartment-less biofuel cell construction based on the physical co-inclusion of enzyme and mediator redox within pressed graphite discs

We report on the easy and fast immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOD) and laccase by mechanical compression with graphite particles to form disc electrodes. The electrical wiring of GOD and laccase was efficiently carried out by their co-inclusion with ferrocene (Fc) and 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) diammonium salt (ABTS) respectively. A glucose/air compartment-less biofuel cell was constructed based on the association of GOD-ferrocene-graphite disc and laccase-ABTS - graphite disc electrodes as bioanode and biocathode respectively. Such biofuel cell yielded a power density of 23 mu W cm(-2) at 0.33 V as well as an open-circuit voltage and a short-circuit current of 0.63 V and 166 mu A, respectively. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.