This thesis describes the fabrication and characterization of an inorganic catalyst based glucose Biofuel cell using nanoporous (mesoporous) silica thin-film as a functional membrane. The desired use of nanoporous silica based biofuel cell is for a blood vessel implantable device. Blood vessel implantable Biofuel Cells (iBFCs) are subjected to higher glucose concentrations and blood flow rates. However, reduction in the implant thickness is critical for the intra-vascular implantable Biofuel cells. Platinum thin-film (thickness: 25 nm) deposited on Silicon substrate (500 [mu]m) served as the anode while Graphene pressed on Stainless steel mesh (175 [mu]m) was used as the cathode. Control experiments involved the use of surfactant-coated polypropylene membrane (50 [mu]m) and Activated Carbon (198 [mu]m) electrodes. Preliminary results show that nanoporous silica thin film (270 nm) is capable of replacing the conventional polymer based membranes with an increased power density output of as high as 10 [mu]W/cm2 under physiological conditions. in-vitro (5 [mu]W/cm2) and in-vivo (10 [mu]W/cm2) experiments demonstrate the potential of ultra-thin iBFCs towards powering future medical implants. / text

Les biopiles enzymatiques sont considérés comme des systèmes potentiellement utilisables pour la production d'énergie renouvelable dans des marchés niches. Une biopile est constituée de deux électrodes associées à des enzymes, catalyseurs biologiques, qui permettent la production d'énergie électrique à partir de réactions chimiques d'oxydoréduction. Ce travail présente la réalisation d'une biopile alcool/oxygène, au sein de laquelle l'alcool est oxydé à l'anode par l'alcool déshydrogénase alors que l'oxygène moléculaire est réduit en eau à la cathode par l'enzyme laccase, en présence de médiateurs spécifiques. L'objectif de ce travail a été tout d'abord de développer des bioélectrodes avec des enzymes immobilisées de manière à minimiser la quantité de biocatalyseur et augmenter sa stabilité. Dans un second temps, l'assemblage de biocathodes et de bioanodes a permis de fabriquer des biopiles à alcool macroscopique et microfluidique. Différentes poudres de carbone combinées à des polymères ont été utilisées pour immobiliser les enzymes et les médiateurs par encapsulation selon diverses configurations. Des analyses électrochimiques ont permis de mettre en évidence l'influence importante de certains paramètres comme la nature du carbone et du polymère, le pH et la température sur les performances des bioélectrodes. Une fois assemblées dans les configurations classique ou microfluidique, ces bioélectrodes ont conduit à des systèmes électrochimiques de génération d'énergie délivrant une densité de puissance maximale de 300μW/cm2 à 0,61V pour la biopile macroscopique et de 45μW/cm2 à 0,5V pour le système microfluidique. / Enzymatic biofuel cells (BFC) are systems of great interest for the production of renewable energy in niche markets. A BFC consists of two electrodes associated with enzymes as catalysts allowing energy production from oxydoreduction reactions. This work is devoted to the development of an alcohol/oxygen BFC for which alcohol is oxidized at the anode by alcohol dehydrogenase while molecular oxygen is reduced to water at the cathode by laccase, in the presence of specific mediators. The objective of this work was first to develop bioelectrodes with immobilized enzymes in order to minimize the amount of biocatalyst and increase its stability. In a second step, biocathodes and bioanodes were assembled to make macroscopic and microfluidic alcohol BFCs. Various carbon powders combined to polymers were used to immobilize enzymes and mediators in various configurations by entrapment. Electrochemical analysis have highlighted the significant influence of certain parameters like the nature of polymer and carbon, the pH or the temperature on the bioelectrodes performances. Once assembled in classical or microfluidic configurations, these bioelectrode led to electrochemical energy generation systems delivering a maximum power density of 300μW/cm2 at 0,61V for the macroscopic BFC and 45μW/cm2 at 0,5V for the microfluidic system.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第21132号 / 農博第2258号 / 新制||農||1056(附属図書館) / 学位論文||H30||N5106(農学部図書室) / 京都大学大学院農学研究科応用生命科学専攻 / (主査)教授 加納 健司, 教授 小川 順, 教授 三芳 秀人 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

<p> In this thesis, the rate-limiting step is determined in a biofuel cell with a bio-anode, a Nation membrane and a conventional, platinum-based cathode using reference electrode method. It was discovered by surprise that the cathode overpotential dominated the cell overpotential. Na + in the membrane was found to hinder the W transport. The cathode overpotential increased due to the presence of Na + in the membrane and at the cathode. The limited H+ transport causes the increase of the cathode overpotential. H+ transport is the rate-limiting step in our biofuel cell, rather than commonly believed electron transport. Moreover, the cell power output degradation is not due to the conventionally believed depletion of the fuel substrate, inter-penetration of the fuel and oxidizer and the degradation of the biocatalysts, but the limited W transport in our biofuel cell. </p> <p> The existing oxygen reduction mechanism at the cathode was questioned and revised. When Na+ occupies all sulfonate groups in the membrane, only the Na+ from the buffer can pass through the membrane. The oxygen reacts with the water transported with Na+ and electrons to produce OH", which balances with the transported Na+ to keep electroneutrality at the cathode. </p> <p> Tris buffer without Na + was utilized as alternative anolyte in the biofuel cell. It was found that the cell with Tris buffer had a poorer performance in comparison with sodium phosphate buffer due to the increases of the anode and cathode overpotentials. Tris buffer does not constitute a solution to the problem. </p> <p> This work represents a step toward a more complete understanding of the properties of biofuel cells. To improve biofuel cell output, the herein identified H+ transport limitation in Na + contained Nation needs to be overcome. </p> / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

The development of enzymatic biosensors and enzymatic biofuel cells (EBFCs) has been a significant area of research for decades. Enzymatic catalysis can provide for specific, reliable sensing of target analytes as well as the continuous generation of power from physiologically present fuels. However, the broad implementation of enzyme-based devices is still limited by low operational/storage stabilities and insufficient power densities. Approaches to improving upon these limitations have focused on the optimization of enzyme activity and electron transfer kinetics at enzyme-functionalized electrodes. Currently, such optimization can be performed through enzyme structural engineering, improvement of enzyme immobilization methodologies, and fabrication of advantageous electrode materials to enhance retained enzyme activity density at the electrode surface and electron transfer rates between enzymes and an electrode. In this work, varying electrode materials were studied to produce an increased understanding on the impacts of material properties on resulting biochemical, and electrochemical performances upon enzyme immobilization and an additional method of electroactive enzyme-based optimization was developed through the use of polymer-based protein engineering (PBPE). First, graphene/single-wall carbon nanotube cogels were studied as supports for membrane- and mediator-free EBFCs. The high available specific surface area and porosity of these materials allowed the rechargeable generation of a power density within one order of magnitude of the highest performing glucose-based EBFCs to date. Second, two additional carbon nanomaterial-based electrode materials were fabricated and examined as EBFC electrodes. Graphene-coated single-wall carbon nanotube gels and gold nanoparticle/multi-wall carbon nanotube-coated polyacrylonitrile fiber paddles were utilized as electroactive enzyme supports. The performance comparison of these three materials provided an increased understanding of the impact of material properties such as pore size, specific surface area and material surface curvature on enzyme biochemical and electrochemical characteristics upon immobilization. Third, PBPE techniques were applied to develop enzyme-redox polymer conjugates as a new platform for enzymatic biosensor and EBFC optimization. Poly(N-(3-dimethyl(ferrocenyl) methylammonium bromide)propyl acrylamide) (pFcAc) was grown directly from the surface of glucose oxidase (GOX) through atom-transfer radical polymerization. Utilization of the synthesized GOX-pFcAc conjugates led to a 24-fold increase in current generation efficiency and a 4-fold increase in EBFC power density compared to native GOX. GOX-pFcAc conjugates were further examined as working catalysts in carbon paper-based enzymatic biosensors, which provided reliable and selective glucose sensitivities and allowed a systematic analysis of sources of instability in enzyme-polymer conjugate-based biosensors and EBFCs. The knowledge gained through these studies and the in-depth characterization of an additional layer of optimization capacity using PBPE could potentially enhance the progress of enzymatic biosensor and EBFC development.

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) was used to develop a novel methodology for studying ionic interaction with lipids arranged in a lipid cubic phase (LCP). Studying different types of ions, both cations and anions, validated the method. A free-standing LCP membrane was formed between two cell compartments and impedance experiments were carried out in a 2-electrode setup to estimate dielectric properties of the membrane, exposed to the following electrolyte solutions at different concentrations: KCl, CsBr, CaCl2, MgCl2, CsCl, NaCl, NaOAc and NaTryptophan. Two different LCP were used in this setup, i.e: Monoloein/water and the ternary system of monoolein/dioleoylphosphatidylcholine/water (MO/DOPC/H2O). SAXRD measurements were performed to determine the space group of the cubic phase and confirm the stability of the LCP during measurements. Membrane resistances and capacitances were found from equivalent circuit fitting to the impedance data. The membrane resistance was shown to be related to ionic interaction with the lipid head group in the water channels of the LCP. Membrane capacitance were correlating to condensing and swelling effect of LCP due to the exposure of ions. The results correlated well with the SAXRD results and earlier published data. The results also indicate that these membranes become less permeable to ions as they increase in size as well as in charge or polarity.  Cyclic voltammetry was used to study the applications of a LCP for modification of the bioanode in a biofuel cell. The monoolein cubic phase was used to host Glucose oxidase (GOx) and a freely diffusing ferrocene carboxylate was used as mediator. The supported cubic phase had an intrinsic resistance in the same order of magnitude as the freestanding MO-LCP membrane as measured with EIS. / Elektrokemisk impedans spektroskopi har använts för att utveckla en ny metod för att studera joners växelverkan med lipider som bildat en kubisk fas. Olika typer av joner, både positiva och negativa, användes för att validera metoden. Ett fristående membran uppbyggt av en kubisk fas separerade två avdelningar i en elektrokemisk cell. Cellen fylldes med elektrolyt-lösningar och impedansmätningar kunde utföras mellan två platina elektroder placerade i vardera avdelning. Membranet exponerades för följande elektrolytlösningar av olika koncentration: KCl, CsBr, CaCl2, MgCl2, CsCl, NaCl, NaOAc and NaTryptofan. Två olika kubiska faser användes i denna uppställning, dvs: Monoloein/vatten och det ternära systemet monoolein/dioleoylfosfatidylkolin/vatten(MO/DOPC/H2O). Med hjälp av SAXRD kunde den kubiska fasens kristallstruktur bestämmas och dess stabilitet under mätningarna bekräftas. De dielektriska egenskaperna hos membranet bestämdes genom att anpassa impedansspektrat till en ekvivalent krets bestående av resistanser, kapacitanser och konstant-faselement. Membranresistansen visade sig vara relaterad till jonernas växelverkan med lipidhuvudgruppen i vattenkanalerna i kubiska fasen. Ju starkare växelverkan desto högre var resistansen. Membrankapacitansen kunde korreleras med kondenserande och uppsvällande effekter på kubiska fasen förorsakade av exponeringen till joner. Resultaten bekräftades av SAXRD mätningar och även tidigare publicerade data. Resultaten indikerar också tydligt att permeabiliteten hos membranet minskar med ökad jonstorlek, jonladdningoch polaritet hos jonen. Cyklisk voltammetri användes för att studera en tillämpning av kubiska fasen i en tänkt applikation som bioanod i en biobränslecell. Elektroden modifierades med en kubisk fas innehållande GOx och tillsammans med en fritt diffunderande ferrocen karboxylat som mediator, där oxidation av glukos studeras. Det visade sig att den kubiska fasen hade en resistans av samma storleksordning som det fristående membranet uppmätt med impedansspektroskopi.

Este trabalho descreve a preparação e caracterização de bioanodos para biocélula a combustível etanol/O2 utilizando enzimas desidrogenases, tanto com transferência eletrônica mediada como com transferência eletrônica direta. Na primeira etapa do trabalho, os resultados de cinética enzimática com as enzimas comerciais álcool desidrogenase e aldeído desidrogenase em solução e imobilizada mostraram claramente que os vários parâmetros cinéticos analisados devem ser considerados, a fim de se obter atividade máxima com os biocatalisadores; além disso, os resultados obtidos com as diferentes metodologias de imobilização empregadas (adsorção passiva e automontagem) confirmaram que tal etapa é crucial para a obtenção de um sistema viável. Os testes de semi-célula e estabilidade com transferência eletrônica mediada mostraram que o dendrímero PAMAM se mostra bastante atrativo na preparação de bioanodos para biocélula a combustível enzimática com ambas as metodologias testadas. Na segunda parte do trabalho, os resultados obtidos com os bioanodos preparados com as enzimas desidrogenases contendo o grupamento pirroquinolina quinona extraídas da bactéria Gluconobacter sp. 33 e purificadas em laboratório mostraram que ambos os protocolos de imobilização empregados nesta etapa (dendrímero PAMAM e Nafion-modificado) foram capazes de proporcionar um ambiente no qual as enzimas são capazes de realizar transferência eletrônica diretamente com superfícies de ouro e carbono. Com base nos resultados de caracterização eletroquímica, observou-se que a reação de interesse ocorre mais facilmente na presença de nanotubos de carbono, onde se acredita que os grupamentos heme-c permanecem em um arranjo mais adequado que facilita o processo de transferência eletrônica e consequentemente fornece maiores correntes catalíticas. Os testes de semi-célula etanol/O2 com transferência eletrônica direta mostraram que os bioanodos preparados tanto com a membrana Nafion-modificada quanto com o dendrímero PAMAM se mostraram capazes de gerar densidades de potência competitivas em relação a outros métodos de imobilização. / This work describes the preparation and characterization of bioanodes for ethanol/O2 biofuel cell using dehydrogenases enzymes, using either mediated electron transfer or direct electron transfer. First, investigation of the enzymatic kinetics of the commercial enzymes alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase in solution and immobilized onto carbon platforms clearly showed that the analyzed kinetic parameters must be considered for achievement of maximum activity. The results obtained by using different immobilization methodologies (passive adsorption and self-assembly) confirmed that this step is crucial for attainment of a viable system. The half-cell and stability tests employing mediated electron transfer showed that PAMAM dendrimers seem to be very attractive for the preparation of bioanodes for enzymatic biofuel cell using the tested protocols. In the second part of the work, the results obtained with the bioanodes prepared with dehydrogenases enzymes containing the pyrroloquinoline quinone group, extracted from the bacteria Gluconobacter sp. 33 and purified in our laboratory, revealed that both immobilization protocols employed in this step (PAMAM dendrimers and modified-Nafion) were able to provide an environment in which the enzymes undergo direct electron transfer with gold and carbon surfaces. The electrochemical characterization results evidenced that the reaction of interest occurs more easily in the presence of carbon nanotubes. We believe that the c-heme groups remain in a more suitable arrangement in the nanotubes, which facilitates the electron transfer process and provides higher catalytic currents. Ethanol/O2 half-cell tests with direct electron transfer showed that both the bioanodes prepared with modified-Nafion membrane and PAMAM dendrimers were capable of generating competitive power densities as compared to other immobilization methods.

La pile à combustible microbienne, MFC, est un bioengine qui associe respectivement le principe biochimique et le principe électrochimique pour extraire les électrons stockés dans la matière organique et les transformer en électricité. Dans un MFC, des microbes électroactifs vivants, avec son système enzymatique complet, sont utilisés pour biocatalyser l'oxydation du combustible organique; une anode est introduite artificiellement pour détourner les électrons, ce qui a eu pour résultat le système respiratoire bactérien; et à l'opposé, une cathode entraîne le flux d'électrons qui est ensuite commuté sur le courant électrique. Les microbes électroactifs se répandent dans de nombreuses sources telles que le sol, le compost, les boues, les eaux usées, etc. Les aliments pour animaux, les combustibles organiques et / ou d'autres nutriments peuvent également être abondamment présents dans leurs sources matricielles et dans de nombreuses autres sources inestimables, couramment disponibles dans la vie quotidienne. L'abondance bactérienne et le carburant organique illimité sont les deux raisons attrayantes pour le développement d'une source d'énergie durable telle que le MFC, qui attire également notre attention dans cette recherche. Ici, nous avons développé MFC, double chambre (DCMFC) et chambre unique (SCMFC), alimentés par compost de jardin comme source électroactive et acétate de carburant. Pour des raisons de durabilité et d’autres avantages, c’est-à-dire praticables et respectueux de l’environnement, nous nous sommes principalement concentrés sur le SCMFC avec un système de cathodes respiratoires. La problématique commune du SCMFC est la production d’énergie limitée due principalement à la cinétique lente de la réaction de réduction de l’oxygène (ORR) dans la partie cathodique. Par conséquent, il est important de mettre au point le matériau de la cathode respiratoire qui présente une activité de catalyse appropriée vis-à-vis de la perte de réponse optique pour surmonter cette limitation. Le feutre de carbone (CF) est le matériau de support choisi qui convient à la fabrication de cathodes à respiration aérienne. Alors que le platine (Pt) et l’oxyde de manganèse (MnOx), respectivement, en tant que classe de catalyseur suprême et de second rang, ont été développés sur CF grâce à une méthode simple d’électrodéposition. Les matériaux résultants, dénommés ACF@Pt et ACF@MnOx, ont été caractérisés de manière complète par des méthodes électrochimiques et physicochimiques afin de déterminer leurs performances électrocatalytiques, supportant ainsi l’application de cathodes respiratoires. En conséquence, nous avons développé deux principaux types de cathodes respiratoires, à savoir ACF@Pt et ACF@MnOx, appliquées avec succès dans le SCMFC alimenté par du compost de jardin avec une densité de puissance respective de 140 mW m-2 et 110 mW m-2. De plus, les deux matériaux développés révèlent également des applications prometteuses. Par exemple, ACF@Pt a été utilisé comme anode de MFC, à la fois dans DCMFC et SCMFC, et a amélioré la densité de puissance jusqu'à 300 mW m-2. Fait intéressant, il est également montré comme un excellent électrocatalyseur dans la réaction de dégagement d’hydrogène, HER. Alors que le matériau ACF@MnOx présente un électrocatalyseur prometteur dans un système de type électro-Fenton à la minéralisation d'un matériau biréfractif, c'est-à-dire l'un des constituants polluants dangereux des eaux usées. / Microbial fuel cell, MFC, is a bioengine that combine biochemical and electrochemical principle respectively to extract the stored electrons in organic material and to turn them into electricity. In an MFC, living electroactive microbes, with its whole enzymatic system, are employed to biocatalyze the oxidation of organic fuel; an anode is artificially introduced to divert the electrons, as resulted in the bacterial respiratory system; and oppositely a cathode drives the electron flow that further be switched to electrical power. Electroactive microbes spread out in numerous sources such as soil, compost, sludge, waste water, and so on. The feed, organic fuel and/or other nutrient, also can abundantly be present in their matrix sources and in many other priceless sources, which commonly available in daily life. Bacterial abundance and unlimited organic fuel are the two attractive reasons for the development of sustainable energy source as such as MFC, which is also drawn our attention in this research. Herein, we developed MFC, double chamber (DCMFC) and single chamber (SCMFC), which powered by garden compost as electroactive source and acetate fuel. For sustainability reason and other advantages i.e. practicability and eco-friendly, we mainly focused on SCMFC with air-breathing cathode system. The common problematic of the SCMFC is the limited power production that mainly due to the slow kinetic of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in the cathodic part. Therefore, it is important to developed the material of air-breathing cathode which has a proper catalysis activity toward ORR to overcome this limitation. Carbon felt (CF) is the selected support material that suitable for air-breathing cathode fabrication. While, platinum (Pt) and manganese oxide (MnOx) respectively, as supreme and runner-up catalyst’s class, has been grown on CF through a simple electrodeposition method. The resulting materials, named as ACF@Pt and ACF@MnOx, have been characterized comprehensively by electrochemical and physicochemical methods to determine their electrocatalytic performances, which support for air-breathing cathode application. Accordingly, we have developed two main types of air-breathing cathode, i.e. ACF@Pt and ACF@MnOx, which have been successfully applied in SCMFC powered by garden compost with generated power density respectively 140 mW m-2 and 110 mW m-2. Moreover, the both developed material also reveal some promising application. For instance, ACF@Pt has been applied as MFC’s anode, both in DCMFC and SCMFC, and has improved the power density up to 300 mW m-2. Interestingly, it is also shown as an excellent electrocatalyst in hydrogen evolution reaction, HER. While, the ACF@MnOx material shows a promising electrocatalyst in an electro-Fenton like system to mineralization of biorefractory material i.e. one of the hazardous pollutant constituent of wastewater.

Este trabalho descreve a preparação e caracterização de biocátodos para biocélula a combustível Etanol e Metanol//O2 utilizando a enzima lacase (trametes versicolor) num sistema de transferência eletrônica mediada (TEM). Na primeira etapa do trabalho, os resultados de cinética enzimática com a enzima lacase em solução e imobilizada sobre tecido de carbono mostraram que os vários parâmetros experimentais (pH, temperatura, estabilidade) analisados devem ser considerados, a fim de se obter atividade máxima com os biocatalisadores. Além disso, em relação aos testes cinéticos e de estabilidade, pode-se inferir que o dendrímero PAMAM pode ser empregado como um bom agente imobilizante na preparação de bicátodos para biocélula a combustível enzimática. Na segunda etapa do trabalho, uma semibiocélula Etanol//O2 foi testada e os eletrocatalisadores testados foram o verde de metileno (VM) e o azul de meldola (AM). Os testes de potência mostraram a importância da presença do mediador ABTS e do eletrocatalisador (VM) para melhorar o desempenho do dispositivo. Na terceira etapa do trabalho, eletrodos com diferentes mediadores (ABTS, ferro porfirina, ferroceno, complexo de ósmio e complexo de rutênio) e com polipirrol eletropolimerizado na superfície do eletrodo foram testados numa semibiocélula Metanol//O2. Os testes de semibiocélula Etanol e Metanol//O2 com transferência eletrônica mediada mostraram que os biocátodos preparados com o dendrímero PAMAM e com os diferentes eletrocatalisadores e mediadores, se mostraram capazes de gerar densidades de potência competitivas em relação aos valores encontrados na literatura. / This work describes the preparation and characterization of biocathodes for Ethanol and Methanol//O2 biofuel cell using the enzyme laccase (trametes versicolor) enzyme and mediated electron transfer (MET). Investigation of the enzymatic kinetics of the enzyme laccase in solution and immobilized onto carbon platforms showed that the analyzed experimental parameters (pH, temperature, and stability) must be considered for maximum activity to be achieved. The kinetic and stability tests revealed that PAMAM dendrimers constitute very good immobilization agent to prepare biocathodes for enzymatic biofuel cell. The second part of this work, dealt with Ethanol//O2half-cell using methylene green (MG) ormeldola blue (MB) as electrocatalyst. The power test evidenced that it is important to have ABTS as mediator and an electrocatalyst, to ensure that the device performs better. The third part of this work evaluated electrodes with distinct mediators (ABTS, iron porphyrin, ferrocene, osmium complex, and ruthenium complex) and containing electropolymerized polypyrrole on their surface in a Methanol//O2half-cell. Ethanol and Methanol//O2 half-cell tests with mediated electron transfer showed that the biocathodes prepared with PAMAM dendrimers, electrocatalyst, and distinct mediators generated competitive power densities as compared with literature data.

A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo primordial a verificação da viabilidade técnica de empregar sistema do tipo célula a biocombustível para tratamento de esgoto sanitário com geração de energia elétrica. A célula a biocombustível, em escala de bancada, adotada foi constituída por reator anaeróbio seguido de reator aeróbio, visando à remoção de matéria orgânica carbonácea e à nitrificação Cada reator apresentou área de 0,6275 m2 e volume útil de 24,0 L. A célula a biocombustível foi alimentada com esgoto sanitário com tempo de detenção hidráulica médio de 8 horas (nos dois módulos). Em cada reator instalou-se um eletrodo imerso, de modo que os dois eletrodos foram unidos por fio condutor externo. Foi verificada a potencialidade do sistema em gerar energia elétrica a partir das reações químicas e bioquímicas que se deram junto aos eletrodos e nos biofilmes aderidos aos mesmos. A operação da célula a biocombustível foi dividida em cinco Fases, denominadas de I, II, III, IV e V, sendo que o fator principal que distinguiu essas Fases consistiu no material eletródico. Manta de fibra de carbono e placa de grafite foram adotadas como ânodo da célula (reator anaeróbio). Chapa de aço inoxidável (AISI 316) e malhas de aço inoxidável (AISI 316) foram usadas como cátodo do sistema (reator aeróbio). Para monitoramento do sistema foram realizadas análises físico-químicas do afluente, do efluente do reator anaeróbio e do efluente do reator aeróbio e para o acompanhamento da produção de energia elétrica utilizou-se potenciômetro acoplado a software específico. Microssensores de OD, pH e potencial redox foram empregados como ferramentas auxiliares para o acompanhamento do crescimento e desenvolvimento dos biofilmes aderidos aos eletrodos da célula a biocombustível. Como resultados concernentes ao tratamento do esgoto sanitário foram obtidas eficiências médias de remoção de DQO de (74,4±17,1)% e de nitrificação de (65,8±21,0)%, no decorrer das cinco Fases. O valor da maior densidade de potência média verificada foi de 107,0 mW.m-2, ocorrida quando o ânodo da célula a biocombustível consistiu em placa de grafite e o cátodo em malha de aço inoxidável (AISI 316) do tipo 20, na Fase V. A dosagem de cloreto férrico e a colocação de meio suporte de material plástico no sistema para limpeza automática do cátodo, realizadas na Fase em que se observou a maior densidade de potência média foram consideradas como positivas no aprimoramento da obtenção de energia elétrica. Por meio da combinação dos resultados relacionados à geração de energia elétrica e da aplicação dos microssensores constatou-se que o desenvolvimento de biofilmes espessos sobre os eletrodos da célula a biocombustível consiste em fator negativo da sua eficiência energética. Concluiu-se que a célula a biocombustível é tecnicamente viável para o tratamento de esgoto com geração de energia elétrica, contudo diante do conhecimento que se tem sobre essa tecnologia, a sua adoção em escala real ainda é economicamente inviável. / This research aimed mainly to verify the technical feasibility of employing a system called biofuel cell for treating wastewater and generating electricity at the same time. The biofuel cell, in lab scale, adopted consisted of an anaerobic followed by an aerobic reactor, aiming the removal of carbonaceous organic matter and nitrification. Each reactor had an area of 0.6275 m2 and useful volume of 24.0 L. The biofuel cell was fed with sanitary wastewater with hydraulic retention time of eight hours (in both modules). In each reactor was installed an electrode immersed, and the two electrodes were connected by a wire conductor. The capability of the system to generate electricity from the chemical and biochemical reactions that occurred along the electrodes and in biofilms attached to them was verified. The biofuel cell operation was divided into five Phases, named I, II, III, IV and V, and the main factor that distinguished these Phases consisted of the electrode material. Carbon fiber felt and graphite plate were adopted as the anode of the cell (on anaerobic reactor). Stainless steel plates (AISI 316) and stainless steel meshes (AISI 316) were used as the cathode (on aerobic reactor). Monitoring system were carried out with physicochemical analyzes of the influent, anaerobic effluent and aerobic effluent and for monitoring the electricity production it was used a potentiometer coupled with a specific software. DO, pH and redox potential microsensors were employed as auxiliary tools for monitoring the growth and development of biofilms attached to the electrodes of the biofuel cell. The results concerning the treatment of wastewater were COD efficiencies removal of (74.4 ± 17.1)% and nitrification of (65.8 ± 21.0)%, throughout the five Phases. The amount of the higher power density observed was 107.0 mW.m-2 occurred when the anode of the biofuel cell consisted of graphite plate and cathode of stainless steel mesh (AISI 316) type 20, on Phase V . The dosage of ferric chloride and the placement of plastic midia on the aerobic module of the system for automatic cleaning of the cathode, conducted on Phase V, were considered positive for the improvement in obtaining electricity. By combining the results related to power generation and application of microsensors it was concluded that the development of thick biofilms on the electrodes of a biofuel cell is a negative factor in their energy efficiency. It was also concluded that the biofuel cell is technically feasible to treat sanitary wastewater and to generate electricity, but actually, based on the knowledge we have about this technology, its adoption in large scale is still not economically feasible.