Fredj Zina, Rong Guoguang, Sawan Mohamad
CenBRAIN Neurotech, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310030, China.
Biosensors (Basel). 2025 Mar 28;15(4):218. doi: 10.3390/bios15040218.
Enzymatic biofuel cells (EBFCs) have emerged as a transformative solution in the quest for sustainable energy, offering a biocatalyst-driven alternative for powering wearable and implantable self-powered biosensors. These systems harness renewable enzyme activity under mild conditions, positioning them as ideal candidates for next-generation biosensing applications. Despite their promise, their practical deployment is limited by challenges such as low power density, restricted operational lifespan, and miniaturization complexities. This review provides an in-depth exploration of the evolving landscape of EBFC technology, beginning with fundamental principles and the latest developments in electron transfer mechanisms. A critical assessment of enzyme immobilization techniques, including physical adsorption, covalent binding, entrapment, and cross-linking, underscores the importance of optimizing enzyme stability and catalytic activity for enhanced bioelectrode performance. Additionally, we examine advanced bioelectrode materials, focusing on the role of nanostructures such as carbon-based nanomaterials, noble metals, conducting polymers, and metal-organic frameworks in improving electron transfer and boosting biosensor efficiency. Also, this review includes case studies of EBFCs in wearable self-powered biosensors, with particular attention to the real-time monitoring of neurotransmitters, glucose, lactate, and ethanol through sweat analysis, as well as their integration into implantable devices for continuous healthcare monitoring. Moreover, a dedicated discussion on challenges and trends highlights key limitations, including durability, power management, and scalability, while presenting innovative approaches to address these barriers. By addressing both technical and biological constraints, EBFCs hold the potential to revolutionize biomedical diagnostics and environmental monitoring, paving the way for highly efficient, autonomous biosensing platforms.
酶促生物燃料电池（EBFCs）已成为寻求可持续能源过程中的一种变革性解决方案，为可穿戴和植入式自供电生物传感器提供了一种由生物催化剂驱动的供电替代方案。这些系统在温和条件下利用可再生酶活性，使其成为下一代生物传感应用的理想候选者。尽管它们前景广阔，但其实际应用受到诸如低功率密度、有限的运行寿命和小型化复杂性等挑战的限制。本综述深入探讨了EBFC技术不断发展的前景，从基本原理和电子转移机制的最新进展开始。对酶固定化技术的批判性评估，包括物理吸附、共价结合、包埋和交联，强调了优化酶稳定性和催化活性以提高生物电极性能的重要性。此外，我们研究了先进的生物电极材料，重点关注碳基纳米材料、贵金属、导电聚合物和金属有机框架等纳米结构在改善电子转移和提高生物传感器效率方面的作用。此外，本综述还包括EBFCs在可穿戴自供电生物传感器中的案例研究，特别关注通过汗液分析对神经递质、葡萄糖、乳酸和乙醇的实时监测，以及它们在植入式设备中的集成以进行连续医疗监测。此外，关于挑战和趋势的专门讨论突出了关键限制，包括耐久性、电源管理和可扩展性，同时提出了解决这些障碍的创新方法。通过解决技术和生物学限制，EBFCs有潜力彻底改变生物医学诊断和环境监测，为高效、自主的生物传感平台铺平道路。
