Glucose Oxidase-like Rhodium Single-Atom Nanozymes: A Mimic Platform for Biometabolism and Electrometabolism of Glucose Oxidation at Neutral pH

Rhodium single-atom nanozymes (Rh SANs), mimicking the function of natural glucose oxidase (GOD) for both biometabolism and electrometabolism of glucose oxidation, were designed in this work. Here, Rh SANs were proved to have the same biocatalytic mechanism as natural GOD, as well as a similar electrocatalytic path, namely two-electron electrooxidation from glucose to gluconic acid. On this basis, by coupling a bilirubin oxidase (BOD) biocathode, the Rh SANs-based glucose/O2 enzymatic biofuel cell (EBFC) was developed, and a maximum power density of 135.0 ± 3.0 μW cm–2 was obtained, which was nearly 2-fold enhanced over that of natural GOD-based EBFC. In addition to gathering fuels from soft drinks available in daily life, this EBFC could be designed as a novel, low-cost, and miniaturized bio-energy device. With an ingenious catalyst and flexible configuration, the device not only accelerates the development of nanozymes but paves avenues for powering portable and wearable devices.