Shandong Science ›› 2025, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (3): 72-83.doi: 10.3976/j.issn.1002-4026.2025026

• Ocean Sensors • Previous Articles     Next Articles

A novel voltammetric pH sensor for in situ monitoring of seawater microbial fuel cell

LI Yiwei1(), SONG Jin1, LI Yunzhou2, WANG Juncheng2,*   

  1. 1. Institute of Biology, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250103, China
    2. Institute of Ocenographic Instrumentation, Qilu University of Technology(Shandong Academy of Sciences), Qingdao 266100, China
  • Received:2025-03-13 Online:2025-06-20 Published:2025-06-26
  • Contact: WANG Juncheng E-mail:mr.know-nothing@163.com

Abstract:

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) hold considerable potential in bioelectricity generation and bioremediation, and their operational processes are highly sensitive to pH fluctuations. Therefore, online pH monitoring is crucial for optimizing the performance of MFCs. Existing pH meters often fall short in meeting the specific demands associated with online pH monitoring. In this study, we designed a novel voltammetric pH sensor based on electrochemically in situ-synthesized graphene-modified screen-printed electrodes. By surface coupling with the hydrogen-bond carrier alizarin safirol SE, the sensor achieves excellent linearity in pH detection within the range of 4.0 to 9.0, with a sensitivity of 70.7 mV per pH unit. The measurement cycle could be controlled within 15 s. This study successfully demonstrated in situ long-term pH dynamic monitoring in a seawater-based MFC constructed using coastal activated sludge, yielding ideal results. Notably, the incorporation of the aforementioned hydrogen-bond carrier enhanced the proton diffusion rate at the graphene interface, thereby improving the performance of the voltammetric pH sensor. Furthermore, this study revealed the considerable potential of this strategy for improving the reference system, which is expected to further substantially enhance the long-term sensing performance of this strategy. In addition, this strategy provides a new approach for long-term in situ online pH monitoring and thereby contribues to the future development of MFCs.

Key words: microbial fuel cell, marine environment monitoring, voltammetric pH sensor, in situ continuous monitoring

CLC Number: 

  • TM911.45