Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes enhanced laccase enzymatic reactivity towards oxygen reduction and its application in biofuel cell

Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (NCNTs) were designed for the immobilization and biosensing of proteins. The glutaraldehyde functionalized chitosan (GCS) was mixed with NCNTs to generate nanocomposites for enzyme immobilization. Laccase (Lac) or glucose oxidase (GOD) in GCS/NCNT nanocomposites displayed excellent enzymatic activity towards the reduction of oxygen or the oxidation of glucose. This led to elaboration of a glucose/air biofuel cell with a maximum power density of 21 mu W cm(-2) at 0.2.V. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.