The Applications and Prospects for Further Applications of Biocatalysts in Electrochemical Systems

A new field involving the use of biologically active substances for the acceleration of electrode processes is examined. The coupling of enzymic and electrochemical reactions can be achieved in two ways: by mediated and direct electron exchange between the active centre of the enzyme and the electrode. The mechanism of the electrochemical oxidation of hydrogen with participation of immobilised hydrogenases is analysed in detail. Data indicating a tunnel mechanism of electron transport in the enzyme catalysis of electrode processes are presented. The principal applications of bioelectrochemical systems are indicated: as analytical sensors, as bioelectrochemical energy converters, and in bioelectrosynthesis.
The bibliography includes 129 references.