Redox Capacitor to Establish Bio‐Device Redox‐Connectivity

Abstract

Abstract Electronic devices process information and transduce energy with electrons, while biology performs such operations with ions and chemicals. To establish bio‐device connectivity, we fabricate a redox‐capacitor film from a polysaccharide (i.e., chitosan) and a redox‐active catechol. We report that these films are rapidly and repeatedly charged and discharged electrochemically via a redox‐cycling mechanism in which mediators shuttle electrons between the electrode and film (capacitance ≈ 40 F/g or 2.9 mF/cm 2 ). Further, charging and discharging can be executed under bio‐relevant conditions. Enzymatic‐charging is achieved by electron‐transfer from glucose to the film via an NADPH‐mediated redox‐cycling mechanism. Discharging occurs by electron‐donation to O 2 to generate H 2 O 2 that serves as substrate for peroxidase‐mediated biochemical reactions. Thus, these films offer the capability of inter‐converting electrochemical and biochemical inputs/outputs. Among potential applications, we anticipate that catechol–chitosan redox‐capacitor films could serve as circuit elements for molecular logic operations or for transducing bio‐based chemical energy into electricity.