A Direct Catalytic Ethanol Fuel Cell (DCEFC) Modified by LDHs, or by Catalase-LDHs, and Improvement in Its Kinetic Performance: Applications for Human Saliva and Disinfectant Products for COVID-19

In this work, it has been experimentally proven that the kinetic performance of a common Direct Catalytic Ethanol Fuel Cell (DCEFC) can be increased by introducing nanostructured (Zn-II,Al-III(OH)(2))+NO3-center dot H2O Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) into the anode compartment. Carrying out the measurements with the open-circuit voltage method and using a kinetic format, it has been shown that the introduction of LDHs in the anodic compartment implies a 1.3-fold increase in the calibration sensitivity of the method. This improvement becomes even greater in the presence of hydrogen peroxide in a solution. Furthermore, we show that the calibration sensitivity increased by 8-times, when the fuel cell is modified by the enzyme catalase, crosslinked on LDHs and in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The fuel cell, thus modified (with or without enzyme), has been used for analytical applications on real samples, such as biological (human saliva) and hand disinfectant samples, commonly used for the prevention of COVID-19, obtaining very positive results from both analytical and kinetic points of view on ethanol detection. Moreover, if the increase in the calibration sensitivity is of great importance from the point of view of analytical applications, it must be remarked that the increase in the speed of the ethanol oxidation process in the fuel cell can also be extremely useful for the purposes of improving the energy performance of a DCEFC.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates that introducing nanostructured layered double hydroxides (LDHs) into the anode compartment can enhance the kinetic performance of a direct catalytic ethanol fuel cell (DCEFC). The calibration sensitivity of the method increases by 1.3-fold with the introduction of LDHs and even further in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. By modifying the fuel cell with enzyme catalase crosslinked on LDHs and in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, the calibration sensitivity increases by 8-times. This modification shows positive results in ethanol detection for analytical applications and can also improve the energy performance of a DCEFC.