Enzyme-based photoelectrochemical cell for electric current generation

• US 20050123823A1
• Filed: 04/16/2002
• Published: 06/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents (University of Arizona)
• Original Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents (University of Arizona)
• Inventors: Garza, Linda Deyanira de la, Gust, John Devens Jr., Moore, Thomas Andrew, Moore, Ana Lorenzelli
• Application Number:
  US10/507,663
• Publication Number:
  US 20050123823A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/401
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/16 Biochemical fuel cells, i.e. cells in which microorganisms function as catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

The invention provides a photobiological fuel cell converting chemical energy possessed by a carbon-containing compound and light energy into electrical energy. A positive electrode (24) and a negative electrode (23) provided with an electrolyte (26) interposed between them are arranged as constituents. An electromotive force is generated across the positive electrode (24) and the negative electrode (23) by an oxidation reaction involving an electrochemical reception of electrons from carbon-containing compound by an external electric circuit via the intermediacy of a photosensitizer molecule excited by light, an oxidation-reduction mediator, catalytic enzymes, and reduction reactions at a positive electrodes (24).

Claims

1. A photobiological fuel cell comprising a positive electrode and a negative electrode provided with an electrolyte interposed between them, wherein the reactions of and concerning the negative electrode comprise:

(1) a process that comprises irradiation with light to produce an excited state of a photosensitizer, which provides an electron and an oxidized form of the photosensitizer;

(2) a process that comprises supplying an electron to the oxidized photosensitizer from a reduced form of an oxidation-reduction mediator; and

(3) a process which comprises one or more oxidation reactions of carbon-containing compounds catalyzed by one or more enzymes to provide electrons to an oxidized form of said oxidation-reduction mediator, whereby the reaction of the carbon containing compound as a fuel causes the supply of electric power to an external electric circuit.

2-12. -12. (canceled)