implementation
Overview
The conventional determination methods of copper include anodic stripping voltammetry, ultraviolet-visible spectrometry, fluorescence spectrometry, colorimetry, flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XFS) and inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Among them, anodic stripping voltammetry and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy are insensitive. XFS is a quantitative analysis of fluorescence intensity emitted by atoms excited by radiation energy. FAAS and ICP-OES measured the concentration of heavy metals by observing the characteristic peaks formed in the gas phase. These methods can be used to detect heavy metals comprehensively, and have high sensitivity and accuracy. However, they usually require expensive equipment, laborious operation, professional technicians and complex pretreatment process. In addition, due to the huge equipment and complex detection process, it is not suitable for real-time measurement and in-situ analysis.
We have created a biosensor for copper ion detection based on microbial fuel cell (MFC), which provides an economical, sensitive and practical technology for copper ion detection. In this way, we can not only detect copper pollution in water bodies, but also serve as an early warning device to ensure the safety of drinking water for residents in urban or remote areas. We can also carry out final inspection of factory sewage discharge to ensure that the discharged sewage or treated sewage meets the standards.
For simplicity and practicality, we have built-in programs for our equipment that directly convert the maximum voltage to copper ion concentration [Y = 0.3199 X + 259.19, Y maximum voltage, X copper ion concentration]
Our equipment consists of microbial sensors and a microcomputer panel with a built-in program to display the final copper ion concentration. We determine the copper ion concentration in the corresponding water body through three steps:
（1）First of all, add waste water to the anode of our microbial sensor for copper contamination detection
（2）Wait for our equipment panel to show copper ion concentration
（3）Determine whether our drinking water or factory sewage is up to standard by comparing our attached standard of copper content in drinking water with the standard of copper content in sewage discharged from copper
Conclusion
The ultimate goal of this project is to serve as an early warning device to ensure the drinking water safety of residents in urban or remote areas. We can also detect the sewage discharged from factories in time, grasp the effluent quality in real time, encrypt the detection frequency, ensure the water quality to meet the discharge standards, and ensure the safety of urban water environment.