This research investigated mechanisms for biofouling
control at
boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode surfaces polarized at low applied
potentials (e.g., −0.2 to 1.0 V vs Ag/AgCl), using Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a model organism. Results
indicated that electrostatic interactions between bacteria and ionic
electrode functional groups facilitated bacteria attachment at the
open-circuit potential (OCP). However, under polarization, the applied
potential governed these electrostatic interactions and electrochemical
reactions resulted in surface bubble formation and near-surface pH
modulation that decreased surface attachment under anodic conditions.
The poration of the attached bacteria occurred at OCP conditions and
increased with the applied potential. Scanning electrochemical microscopy
(SECM) provided near-surface pH and oxidant formation measurements
under anodic and cathodic polarizations. The near-surface pH was 3.1
at 1.0 V vs Ag/AgCl and 8.0 at −0.2 V vs Ag/AgCl and was possibly
a contributor to bacteria poration. Interpretation of SECM data using
a reactive transport model allowed for a better understanding of the
near-electrode chemistry. Under cathodic conditions, the primary oxidant
formed was H2O2, and under anodic conditions,
a combination of H2O2, Cl•, HO2
•, Cl2
•–, and Cl2 formations likely contributed to bacteria poration
at potentials as low as 0.5 V vs Ag/AgCl.