Direct Electrochemical Oxidation of Cellulose: A Cellulose‐Based Fuel Cell System

Abstract

Abstract Direct electricity generation from cellulose without saccharification and fermentation processes was achieved on gold electrode under the alkaline conditions. We (i) overcame problems with the insolubility of cellulose, and captured its electrochemical potential, and (ii) showed that cellulose was converted to cellulose derivatives due to electrochemical oxidation. In addition, we (iii) constructed a cellulose‐based fuel cell, demonstrating that cellulose can be direct electrical based fuel source. The presented fuel cell system overcomes the enormous distribution challenges encountered with other alternative bioenergy sources such as hydrogen.