Highly Selective Self-Powered Sensing Platform for p-Nitrophenol Detection Constructed with a Photocathode-Based Photocatalytic Fuel Cell

A photocathode-based photocatalytic fuel cell (PFC) was fabricated and proposed as a self-powered sensor for p-nitrophenol (p-NP) detection. The PFC was comprised of a photocathode and an anode in separated chambers, which could generate suitable power output under photoirradiation to drive the sensing process. In this device, p-type PbS quantum dots-modified glass carbon electrode (GCE) served as the photocathode for the reduction of p-NP under photoirradiation while graphene-modified GCE was employed as the anode for the oxidation of ascorbic acid. In order to improve the selectivity of the PFC sensor, p-NP binding molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was introduced on the photocathode. Under optimal conditions, the open circuit voltage of the constructed PFC sensor was found to sensitively respond to p-NP in a wide concentration range from 0.05 mu M to 20 mu M. The proposed sensor exhibited high selectivity, good reproducibility, and stability, demonstrating the successful combination photocathode in construction of high-performance PFC self-powered sensors for pollutant monitoring.