(94ki) A Sustainable Mini-Biofuel Cell Utilizing Iron (III) Tetramethoxyphenyl Porphyrin and Iron (III) Octaethyl Porphyrin as an Alternative to Platinum

Affordable energy sources and alternative fuels have sparked considerable studies on miniature fuel cells based on low cost materials. Fuel cells utilizing enzyme systems (i.e., glucose, oxidase, laccase) as electrocatalysts have been promising due to their electron conducting properties and are at a low cost relative to noble metal catalysts such as platinum. Cell size reduction and minimization of weight and volume is possible through coenzymes such as iron tetramethoxyphenyl poryphin. Iron (III) tetramethoxyphenyl porphyrin (FeTMPP-Cl) and Iron (III) octaethyl porphyrin were adsorbed from their acetone solutions onto high area carbon such as Black Pearls-2000 (BP), RB carbon and steam activated Shawinigan Black (SASB). Heat treatments of each catalyst were subsequently heat treated at 800 C^o in an argon atmosphere and then characterized on a biofuel cell via the Rotating Ring Disk Electrode (RRDE). Utilizing methanol as a low cost substitute fuel, studies were done to evaluate performance via polarization and stability curves.