Photobiofuel cell with sustainable energy generation based on micro/nanostructured electrode materials

A photobiofuel cell composed of an anode functionalized with thylakoid membranes and a cathode modified with bilirubin oxidase was designed. While the photoanode operation was based on the photosynthetic process resulting in water oxidation and O2 evolution, the biocatalytic cathode was reducing O2 and producing water. Thus, the whole process operated without consumption of any material, generating electrical power in a sustainable way that absorbs only light energy. The use of micro/nanostructured electrode materials resulted in a power production efficiency that is much higher than previously reported values. The photobiofuel cell was applied for detection of a pesticide, operating as a self-powered biosensor.