Ruthenium Oxide Nanorods as Potentiometric pH Sensor for Organs-On-Chip Purposes

Abstract

A ruthenium oxide (RuOx) sensor for potentiometric pH sensing is currently being developed for organs-on-chip purposes. The sensor was fabricated from a Ru(OH)3 precursor, resulting in RuOx nanorods after heating. An open-circuit potential of the RuOx electrode showed a near-Nernstian response of −58.05 mV/pH, with good selectivity against potentially interfering ions (lithium, sulfate, chloride, and calcium ions). The preconditioned electrode (stored in liquid) had a long-term drift of −0.8 mV/h, and its response rate was less than 2 s. Sensitivity to oxygen was observed at an order of magnitude lower than other reported metal-oxide pH sensors. Together with miniaturizability, the RuOx pH sensor proves to be a suitable pH sensor for organs-on-chip studies.