Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes-based Glucose Biofuel Cell Operating in Rats’ Brains

Enzymatic biofuel cell (EBFC) could be a promising technological breakthrough for active implantable medical devices (AIMDs) energy supply because it is a rechargeable battery which constantly produces energy from a body. Such AIMDs are in demand in the field of neurodegenerative and neurological diseases e.g. Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and consequences of epilepsy. In this study a highly efficient multi-walled carbon nanotubes-based glucose biofuel cell was elaborated. A composite microsized bioanode based on glucose oxidase and a biocathode with non-biological catalysts applied were manufactured. The EBFC was designed as a potentially implantable device, so its electrochemical characteristics were tested under physiological conditions in rats’ brains. The electrodes were successfully implanted in the holes of the rats’ skull, and electrochemical measurements were made. When dipped in the rats’ brains EBFC produced the maximum power density of 51.8 μW/cm
²
and the maximum open circuit voltage of 200 mV. These results demonstrate the potential prospects of EBFC implantation as the power supply of neurostimulators.