Novel Conductive Polymer Composite PEDOT:PSS/Bovine Serum Albumin for Microbial Bioelectrochemical Devices.

A novel conductive composite based on PEDOT:PSS, BSA, and Nafion for effective immobilization of acetic acid bacteria on graphite electrodes as part of biosensors and microbial fuel cells has been proposed. It is shown that individual components in the composite do not have a significant negative effect on the catalytic activity of microorganisms during prolonged contact. The values of heterogeneous electron transport constants in the presence of two types of water-soluble mediators were calculated. The use of the composite as part of a microbial biosensor resulted in an electrode operating for more than 140 days. Additional modification of carbon electrodes with nanomaterial allowed to increase the sensitivity to glucose from 1.48 to 2.81 µA × mM-1 × cm-2 without affecting the affinity of bacterial enzyme complexes to the substrate. Cells in the presented composite, as part of a microbial fuel cell based on electrodes from thermally expanded graphite, retained the ability to generate electricity for more than 120 days using glucose solution as well as vegetable extract solutions as carbon sources. The obtained data expand the understanding of the composition of possible matrices for the immobilization of Gluconobacter bacteria and may be useful in the development of biosensors and biofuel cells.

Conductive Polymers and Their Nanocomposites: Application Features in Biosensors and Biofuel Cells.

Conductive polymers and their composites are excellent materials for coupling biological materials and electrodes in bioelectrochemical systems. It is assumed that their relevance and introduction to the field of bioelectrochemical devices will only grow due to their tunable conductivity, easy modification, and biocompatibility. This review analyzes the main trends and trends in the development of the methodology for the application of conductive polymers and their use in biosensors and biofuel elements, as well as describes their future prospects. Approaches to the synthesis of such materials and the peculiarities of obtaining their nanocomposites are presented. Special emphasis is placed on the features of the interfaces of such materials with biological objects.