Solid-State Hydrogen Fuel by PSII–Chitin Composite and Application to Biofuel Cell

Abstract

Biomaterials attract a lot of attention as next-generation materials. Especially in the energy field, fuel cells based on biomaterials can further develop clean next-generation energy and are focused on with great interest. In this study, solid-state hydrogen fuel (PSII–chitin composite) composed of the photosystem II (PSII) and hydrated chitin composite was successfully created. Moreover, a biofuel cell consisting of the electrolyte of chitin and the hydrogen fuel using the PSII–chitin composite was fabricated, and its characteristic feature was investigated. We found that proton conductivity in the PSII–chitin composite increases by light irradiation. This result indicates that protons generate in the PSII–chitin composite by light irradiation. It was also found that the biofuel cell using the PSII–chitin composite hydrogen fuel and the chitin electrolyte exhibits the maximum power density of 0.19 mW/cm2. In addition, this biofuel cell can drive an LED lamp. These results indicate that the solid-state biofuel cell based on the bioelectrolyte “chitin” and biofuel “the PSII–chitin composite” can be realized. This novel solid-state fuel cell will be helpful to the fabrication of next-generation energy.