Electrochemical Energy Conversion from Direct Oxidation of Glucose on Active Electrode Materials

Electrochemical behavior of carbon-supported platinum and gold-based catalysts towards glucose oxidation and oxygen reduction reaction were investigated separately in alkaline medium before implementing the glucose/O 2 fuel cell with the best anode and cathode catalysts. These electrode materials, prepared from a surfactant-free synthesis approach, were then used in low metal loadings in a fuel cell operating in alkaline medium which can be easily removed on resin for analyzing all the reaction products, as any toxic compound has to be avoided for the interest of this specific application. Pt/rGO is the most active anode towards the glucose oxidation. For all tested catalysts, this oxidation reaction leads mainly to gluconate without chromatographically detectable reaction products resulted from C–C bond cleavage. Graphical Abstract