Carbon-ceramic electrodes advantages

The direct fixation of the biocatalyst to the sensitive surface of the transducer permits the omission of the inactive semipermeable membranes. However, the advantages of the membrane technology are also lost, such as the specificity of permselective layers and the possibility of affecting the dynamic range by variation of the diffusion resistance. Furthermore, the membrane technology has proved to be useful for reloading reusable sensors with enzyme. In contrast, direct enzyme fixation is mainly suited to disposable sensors. This is especially valid for carbon-based electrodes, metal thin layer electrodes printed on ceramic supports, and mass-produced optoelectronic sensors. Field effect transistors may also be envisaged as basic elements of disposable biosensors. 

On the other hand, there is a great demand for alternative fuel cells operating at moderate temperatures. In this context, intermediate temperature (400-800 °C) fuel cells are very attractive since they combine the advantages of both high- and low-temperature fuel cells such as fast electrode kinetics, fuel flexibility, and fewer degradation problems [7]. Furthermore, the tendency of lower temperatures makes conventional ceramic fuel cells (mainly solid oxide fuel cells SOFCs) a leading candidate for applications such as stationary power plants but also the possibility to replace internal combustion engines in vehicles [8]. Ceramic fuel cells based on ceria-carbonate salt composite electrolytes have been intensively studied for the past decade... 

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