(481b) In Situ Study of Electrochemical Behavior of Viologen Mediators

A glucose-oxygen alkaline fuel cell/battery configuration that can generate high power density in the 10 mA/cm² range with mediator dyes has been reported recently. This particular alkaline cell can operate at normal ambient temperature and pressure without the presence of abiotic or biotic catalysts in the anode reaction. The mediator dyes are critical components to enable such cell operation. We will report some recent work on the in situ study of the mediator behavior in the alkaline solutions with both electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques. The properties of the mediator/electrolyte interaction at the electrode surface are of particular interest. The results have some interesting implications on the biomolecular catalysis and kinetic determination.