TUMCS | Thomas Höfer | 01.02.2021
After receiving a Marie Curie Individual Fellowship, Xie begins her research on directed evolution via O2-reducing enzymes. She pursues a completely new electrochemical approach to develop powerful biocathodes.
Xie Wang, Ph.D.
Fuel cells are an important building block for the successful conversion to a CO2-neutral industry. However, losses occur not only at the hydrogen electrode, but also on the oxygen side. To minimise these losses, the cathode at which the O2reduction takes place must be further optimised. One possibility are O2-reducing enzymes, which can be embedded in a redox-active polymer and deposited on the cathode.
The aim of Xie’s research is to maximise the stability and activity of an O2-reducing enzyme through directed evolution. This creates large enzyme libraries that can be tested by electrochemical measurement techniques. This approach promises a fast and effective development of efficient and stable biocathodes for oxygen reduction, which can be further optimised by a subsequent adaptation of the redox-active polymers. We are excited about their electrochemical approach!