Use of redox metalloenzymes as bioelectrocatalysts for fuel cells development

Use of redox metalloenzymes as bioelectrocatalysts for fuel cell developments

Speaker: Antonio de Lacey

Affiliation: Instituto de Catalisis, CSIC, Madrid

Host: Inês C. Pereira

Abstract:
There is great interest in development of hydrogen fuel cell technology because of the present problems of energy generation based on fossil fuel combustion (global warming, pollution, geopolitical dependence, etc.). However, one of the bottlenecks for the expansion of use of hydrogen fuel cells is their dependence on Pt as electrocatalyst for both reactions that take place at the anode (oxidation of H2) and cathode (reduction of O2 to H2O), as this noble metal is rare and expensive. Nevertheless, Nature provides metalloenzymes that efficiently catalyze these reactions: hydrogenases and laccases. Oriented and stable immobilization of these enzymes onto carbon electrodes allows studying their electrocatalytic properties and possible applications on biofuel cell technology.

Short cv:
- 2003-2008: Staff Scientist of CSIC (Spanish national Council of Research) at the Instituto de Catálisis, Madrid, Spain.
- 2001-2003: Tenure-tract Researcher of “Ramón y Cajal” Program at the Instituto de Catálisis (CSIC), Madrid, Spain.
- 1999-2001: Post-doctoral Researcher at the Instituto de Catálisis (CSIC), Madrid, Spain.
- 1996-1998: “Marie Curie” Post-doctoral Researcher at the Laboratoire de Tecnologie Enzymatique (Université de Tecnologie de Compiegne/CNRS), Compiegne, France
- 1995: PhD. in Chemistry. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.