Hypersaline Microbial Self-Powered Biosensor with Increased Sensitivity. Issue 5 (11th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grattieri, Matteo; Hickey, David P.; Alkotaini, Bassam; Robertson, Stuart J.; Minteer, Shelley D.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Electrochemical Society. Volume 165:Issue 5(2018)
• Page Start: H251
• Page End: H254
• Publication Date: 2018-04-11
• Subjects: hypersaline solution -- microbial fuel cell -- self-powered biosensor; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; 541.3705
• DOI: 10.1149/2.1051805jes
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4651

Abstract

Abstract : The on-line, self-powered monitoring of the organic carbon content in hypersaline solutions (e.g. chemical oxygen demand, COD) based on a microbial biosensor would avoid the generation of toxic waste, originated by common COD analytical methods, and reduce the release of pollutants into the environment. Herein, a disposable cathode was applied to microbial fuel cells (MFCs) for the environmental friendly monitoring of the COD reaching a sensitivity one order of magnitude higher compared to the MFC with an air breathing cathode. Additionally, the entrapment of bacterial cells in alginate-capsules ensured a considerable linear range (up to approximately 10, 000 mg COD L −1 ), providing opportunities for the wide application of the device to hypersaline solutions characterized by different origins and contamination levels.