Newly selective electrochemical sensors for trace-level determination of Al(III) ions in drainage water,spiked tap water and pharmaceutical preparation samples

In this work, two newly sensitive and selective Al(III)-modified carbon paste electrodes (MCPEs) were developed based on diphenylcarbazone (DPC) modifier mixed with tricresyl phosphate plasticizer and either graphite powder (electrode I) or graphite powder mixed with graphene (electrode II). The potentiometric performance characteristics of the two electrodes were scrutinized and discussed. The proposed sensors showed a high electrochemical response in the linear concentration range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.0 × 10⁻² mol L⁻¹ with a good Nernstian slopes of 20.12 ± 0.30 mV decade⁻¹ and 20.63 ± 0.66 mV decade⁻¹ and limits of detection of 9.0 × 10⁻⁷ and 8.5 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ for electrode (I) and electrode (II), respectively. Both electrodes showed a fast response time and reasonable thermal stability. The potentiometric response of the DPC-based electrodes was independent on the pH of the tested solutions in ranges of 2.5–5 and 2.5–5.5 for electrode (I) and electrode (II), respectively. The two electrodes can be also used in partially non-aqueous medium containing up to 20% (v/v) acetone or methanol with no significant changes in the working concentration ranges or the slopes. The proposed electrodes showed fairly good discriminating ability toward Al(III) ions in comparison with many other metal ions. The electrodes were applied successfully for Al(III) ions determination in drainage water, spiked tap water and pharmaceutical preparation samples. Furthermore, the electrode surfaces were characterized using energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) as surface characterization techniques and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) technique to confirm the interaction between Al(III) and DPC.

     

Metallophthalocyanines Bearing Polymerizable {[5‐({(1E)‐[4‐(Diethylamino)phenyl]methylene}amino)‐ 1‐naphthy1]oxy} Groups as Electrochemical Pesticide Sensor

The synthesis and characterization of novel metallophthalocyanines (MPcs(ea)) carrying {[5‐({(1E)‐[4‐(diethylamino)phenyl]methylene}amino)‐1‐naphthyl]oxy} groups on four peripheral positions have been reported. These complexes have been characterized by a combination of FT‐IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, mass and UV‐Vis spectroscopy techniques. Redox active metal centers in the core of the Pc rings (Co (II) [CoPc(ea)], Mn(III) [Cl–MnPc(ea)], and Ti(IV)O [TiOPc(ea)]) and electropolymerizable substituents on the peripheral positions of Pc rings were used to increase redox activity and electrochemically polymerization ability of the complexes. The redox properties of MPcs(ea) were determined with voltammetry and in situ spectroelectrochemistry techniques. Then, GCE/MPc(ea) electrodes were constructed with the electropolymerization of MPcs and these electrodes were tested as the pesticide sensors. Sensing studies indicated that type of the metal center of the complexes effectively influenced the sensing activities. While all complexes showed interaction abilities for the fenitrothion, parathion and eserine, GCE/CoPc(ea) electrode detected the parathion selectively with LOD value of 4.52×10⁻⁷ mol dm⁻³ among studied three pesticides. Moreover, GCE/MnClPc(ea) electrode selectively detected eserine with LOD value of 6.43×10⁻⁷ mol dm⁻³ and GCE/TiOPc(ea) electrode detected parathion with LOD value of 8.64×10⁻⁷ mol dm⁻³. All GCE/MPcs(ea) electrodes showed high sensitivity and wide linear ranges for those pesticides. These sensing data illustrated the usability of these modified electrodes in real samples such as seawater with good selectivity and sensitivity.     

A comparison study of adsorptive transfer voltammetry and solution phase voltammetry for the determination of caffeic acid

This study reports a comparison of adsorptive transfer and solution phase voltammetric methods for the study of caffeic acid. For this purpose, a platform was prepared by the modification of glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs) with MWCNTs and samarium nanoparticles (SmNPs) by means of an ultrasonic bath. The surface morphology of the platform was characterized using SEM, EDX and XRD. The adsorptive transfer voltammetric method was based on the adsorption of caffeic acid (CFA) at the surface of the modified electrode by keeping it into a solution of CFA. Afterwards, the modified electrode was transferred with the adsorbed species in a cell containing only 0.1 mol L⁻¹ phosphate buffer solution (PBS) for the analysis. The current response of CFA was found to be linear over a concentration from 5.0 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹. The values of the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 2.0 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹ and 6.67 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹, respectively. The adsorptive transfer method using the modified electrode (SmNPs/MWCNTs/GCE) has successfully been applied to food samples for determining CFA. The solution phase voltammetry was carried out by dipping the electrode into a voltammetric cell containing CFA. The plot of peak currents was linear over the concentration range of 5.0 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹ –8.0 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. The values of LOD and LOQ were 2.0 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹ and 6.67 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹ for CFA using a classical solution phase voltammetry at the proposed platform. It was shown that the LOD obtained at adsorptive transfer voltammetry was 10-fold lower when compared to classical solution phase voltammetry.     

A New Approach for Decreasing the Detection Limit of Gentamicin Ion‐selective Electrodes by Incorporation of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs)/Lipophilic Anionic Additives

Two novel carbon paste electrodes based on gentamicin‐reineckate (GNS‐RN)/multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/sodium tetraphenyl borate (NaTPB) or potassium tetraphenylborate (KTPB) for potentiometric determination of gentamicin sulfate were constructed. Our endeavors of lowering the detection limit for gentamicin ion‐selective electrodes were described. The paper focused on gentamicin carbon paste electrodes based on GNS‐RN as electroactive material, o ‐nitrophenyloctyl ether (o ‐NPOE) as plasticizer and incorporation of MWCNTs and lipophilic anionic additives (NaTPB and KTPB) which lower the detection limit of the electrodes showing best results for determination of gentamicin ion. The characteristics of the electrodes, GNS‐RN+NaTPB+MWCNTs (sensor 1) and GNS‐RN+KTPB+ MWCNTs (sensor 2), were measured, showing favorable features as they provided measurements of the potential with near‐Nernstian slopes of 29.6±0.3 and 29.1±0.3 mV/decade over the concentration range of 1.0×10⁻⁶–1.0×10⁻² mol L⁻¹ and pH ranges 3.0–8.2 and 3.0–8.0 in short response times (6.5 sec). Importantly, the electrodes had low detection limits of 3.0×10⁻⁷and 3.4×10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ for the two sensors, respectively. The sensors showed high selectivity for gentamicin ion with respect to a large number of interfering species. The electrodes were successfully applied for the potentiometric determination of GNS ions in pure state, pharmaceutical preparations and human urine with high accuracy and precision. The results of this study were compared with some previously published data using other analytical methods.     

Magnetite Nanoparticles Bonded Carbon Quantum Dots Magnetically Confined onto Screen Printed Carbon Electrodes and their Performance as Electrochemical Sensor for NADH

Hybrid magnetite/carbon quantum dots (MagNP/C‐dots) were prepared and their characterization performed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR‐TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Because of their suitable magnetization and electrochemical properties, they were used as versatile electrode modifiers after magnetically confining onto screen printed carbon electrodes (SPE), with the aid of a miniature external magnet. The reported strategy introduces a convenient procedure for assembling modified electrodes, since the nanoparticles can be easily released by removing the magnet. The non‐enzymatic magnetic biosensor showed excellent performance in the determination of NADH at the concentration range 2×10⁻⁷ to 5×10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹, exhibiting a sensitivity of 0.15 μmol L⁻¹ and detection limit of 20 nmol L⁻¹. The MagNP/C‐dots/SPE sensor was also successfully applied for the determination of NADH in serum samples. The interference of typical biological molecules has also been investigated.     

Chemical Modified Carbon Paste Electrode for Potentiometric Determination of Mo(VI) and its Application in Food Analysis and Agriculture Fertilizers

Since to the best of our knowledge, there is no potentiometric sensors based on carbon paste electrodes were proposed for the potentiometric determination of molybdenum(VI) ion. In this study, 2,2′-(propane-1,3-diylbis(oxy))dibenzoic acid (PBODBA) was synthesized and used as modifier in the fabrication of carbon paste electrode (CPE) for the quantification of molybdenum(VI). The developed electrodes I and II showed hexavalent Nernstian response of 9.80±0.05 and 9.90±0.08 mV decade⁻¹ over the concentration ranges of 1.0×10⁻⁷–1.0×10⁻³ and 1.0×10⁻⁸–1.0×10⁻³ mol L⁻¹, respectively. The electrodes showed good selectivity for Mo(VI). The modified electrodes were applied for the determination of Mo(VI) concentration in masscuaje agricultural fertilizer and spiked juice extractions containing several metals.     

Carboxylic Acid f-MWCNT/Graphite and Safranin O/Graphite Based Voltammetric Sensors for Norfloxacin Detection

A well-established electrode modifier, i. e., carboxylic acid (CA) functionalized-multiwalled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNT), and a less explored safranin O (SFO) were fabricated on cuboidal graphite electrodes to develop two different voltammetric sensors for norfloxacin‘s electrochemical detection. The developed CA f-MWCNT/graphite electrode and SFO/graphite showed a linear range of 3.10×10⁻⁷ to 3.13×10⁻⁵ M and 2.50×10⁻⁸ to 4.06×10⁻⁷ M with a limit of detection of 1.60×10⁻⁸ and 4.80×10⁻⁹ M, respectively. The practical applicability was tested in the spiked hospital wastewater, milk, and orange juice. It showed that the SFO could be a potential modifier for rapid, simple, and sensitive voltammetric detection of norfloxacin.     

Electrochemical determination of nitrate on Ag nanoparticles-decorated poly (direct blue 15) electrodes

In this study, for the first time, the electro-polymerization of Direct blue15 (DB15), an azo dye, was carried out on the surface of ITO. Furthermore, the poly(DB15) surface was electrochemically decorated with Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs), and the fabricated AgNPs/PDB15 electrodes were examined as nitrate sensors. Compared to unmodified ITO electrode, the AgNPs/PDB15 electrode had greatly improved electrochemical response to nitrate reduction. The nitrate determination in a linear range from 1.0×10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ to 2.27×10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ was performed with a detection limit of 9.66 μM. The synthesized electrode is a promising sensor for the electrochemical detection of nitrate pollutants in water.     

Mercury ion selective poly(aniline) solid contact electrode based on 2-mercaptobenzimidazol ionophore

A mercury(II) ion selective poly(aniline) solid contact electrode based on 2-mercaptobenzimidazol (2MBI) ionophore as a sulfur containing sensing material was successfully developed. The electrode exhibits a good linear response of 29.1 mV/decade (at 20 ± 0.2°C, r ² = 0.997) within the concentration range of 1 × 10^?2?1 × 10^?7 M Hg(II). The composition of this electrode was: ionophore 0.100, polyvinylchloride (PVC) 0.330, dibutylphthalate (DBP) 0.470, potassiumtetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)borate (KTpCIPB) 0.090, and oleic acid (OA) 0.010. A poly(aniline) solid contact electrode based on 2MBI with DBP and OA plasticizers exhibited the best response characteristics of the results obtained for similarly coated wire type electrodes and solid contact electrodes based on only one DBP plasticizer. The electrode shows good selectivity for mercury(II) ions in comparison with alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. This electrode is suitable for use with aqueous solutions of pH 3.3?C8.0 and the standard deviation in the measured EMF difference was ±0.5 mV in a mercury nitrate sample solution of 1.0 × 10^?2 M and ±1.1 mV in a mercury nitrate sample solution of 1.0 × 10^?3 M. The stabilization time was less than 15 min and the response time was less than 33 s. The electrode was applied as a sensor for the determination of Hg(II) content in a sea water sample and some amalgam alloys. The results show good correlation with data obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry.     

A Porphyrin Complex as a Self‐Conditioned Electrode Material for High‐Performance Energy Storage

The novel functionalized porphyrin [5,15‐bis(ethynyl)‐10,20‐diphenylporphinato]copper(II) (CuDEPP) was used as electrodes for rechargeable energy‐storage systems with an extraordinary combination of storage capacity, rate capability, and cycling stability. The ability of CuDEPP to serve as an electron donor or acceptor supports various energy‐storage applications. Combined with a lithium negative electrode, the CuDEPP electrode exhibited a long cycle life of several thousand cycles and fast charge–discharge rates up to 53 C and a specific energy density of 345 Wh kg⁻¹ at a specific power density of 29 kW kg⁻¹. Coupled with a graphite cathode, the CuDEPP anode delivered a specific power density of 14 kW kg⁻¹. Whereas the capacity is in the range of that of ordinary lithium‐ion batteries, the CuDEPP electrode has a power density in the range of that of supercapacitors, thus opening a pathway toward new organic electrodes with excellent rate capability and cyclic stability.     

Carbon Paste Electrode Modified with Functionalized Nanoporous Silica Gel as a New Sensor for Determination of Silver Ion

A new dipyridyl‐functionalized silica gel (DPSG) was synthesized. The potentiometric response of silver ion was investigated at a carbon paste electrode chemically modified with functionalized nanoporous silica gel. The electrodes with a DPSG proportions of 10.1% (w/w), showed very stable potential. Calibration plots with Nernstian slopes for Ag⁺ were observed, 58.7 (±0.9) mV decade^?1, over a wide linear range of concentration (5.0×10^?7 to 1.0×10^?1 M). The electrode has a detection limit of 1.0×10^?7 M. The selectivity coefficients measured by the match potential method in acetate buffer, pH 5.5, were investigated. The electrode has fast response time, high performance, high sensitivity in wide cation activity ranges, and good long term stability (more than 6 months). The method was satisfactory and used to determine the concentration of silver ion in waste waters contaminated by this metal.     

Electrochemical Selective Determination of Uranyl Ions Using PVC Membrane Sensor

A UO₂²⁺‐PVC membrane electrode was constructed using 2‐thenoyltrifluoroacetone as ionophore and its electrochemical response performance was characterized. The effect of membrane composition on the electrode performance was studied and best results were obtained using dioctylsebacate as a mediator and potassium tetrakis(4‐chlorophenyl)borate as anion excluder. The optimized UO₂²⁺‐sensor exhibited a Nernstian response with a slope of 29.5±0.5 mV decade⁻¹ over the concentration range 5.0×10⁻⁷−1.0×10⁻¹ mol L⁻¹ at 25 °C with a detection limit of 3.1×10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹. The optimized electrode showed very good selectivity towards UO₂²⁺ relative to a wide variety of other cations and fast response time. Surface morphology of the optimized membrane electrode at different stages of its development and use was investigated and discussed. Quantum chemical calculations for geometrical optimization of the ionophore were carried out to investigate the interaction between the ionophore and UO₂²⁺ using DFT B3LYP/6‐31++G(d,p) level of theory and the obtained data confirmed the proposed response mechanism. The developed sensor was successfully applied for UO₂²⁺ selective determination in real water samples and the obtained results were compared to those obtained by spectrophotometric method indicating no significant difference.     

Simultaneous Voltammetric Determination of Paracetamol,Codeine and Caffeine on Diamond‐like Carbon Porous Electrodes

A porous electrode material combining the features of vertically aligned multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (VAMWCNT) and diamond‐like carbon films (DLC) have been developed for a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor. For working electrode preparation, DLC has been grown onto VAMWCNT, forming a porous, conductive and stable composite. The electrochemical performance of this DLC:VAMWCNT electrode has been investigated toward detection and analysis of three well‐known molecules, namely paracetamol, codeine and caffeine. A ternary mixture of these analytes was simultaneously determined under optimum experimental conditions using square‐wave voltammetry. Wide linear concentration ranges and the limits of detection of 3.34×10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹, 1.57×10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ and 3.67×10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ were obtained for paracetamol, codeine and caffeine, respectively. We conclude that the proposed voltammetric method and the DLC:VAMWCNT electrode comprise a reliable methodology for simultaneous determination of paracetamol, codeine and caffeine in biological matrix samples.     

Quantitative Analysis of Holmium Ion by a Ho3+ Ion‐Selective Sensor Based on a Symmetric Thio‐Schiff's Base

A poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane sensor for holmium ions was fabricated based on N‐[(Z)‐1‐(2‐thienyl)‐ methylidene]‐N‐[4‐(4‐{[(Z)‐1‐(2‐thienyl)methylidene]amino} phenoxy)phenyl] amine (TPA) as a new ion carrier, acetophenon (AP) as plasticizing solvent mediator and sodium tetraphenyl borate (NaTPB) as an anion excluder. The electrode shows a good selectivity towards Ho³⁺ ions respect to other inorganic cations, including alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. The constructed sensor displays a Nernstian behavior (19.5±0.3 mV/decade) over the concentration range of 1.0×10⁻⁶ to 1.0×10⁻² mol·L⁻¹ with the detection limit of the electrode being 4.6×10⁻⁷ mol·L⁻¹ and very short response time (ca. 5 s). It has a useful working pH range of 3.2–9.8 for at least 8 weeks. The electrode was successfully applied as an indicator electrode for the potentiometric titration of a Ho³⁺ solution with EDTA and holmium determination in some alloys. The proposed sensor accuracy was studied by the determination of Ho³⁺ in mixtures of three different ions.     

New cocaine-selective membrane electrode

The sensitivity and selectivity of a cocaine-selective membrane electrode have been improved with the use of sodium tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate as an ion-exchanger and tetrakis(2-ethylhexyl) pyromellitate (TEHPY) as a solvent mediator. The use of TEHPY suppressed the responses to lipophilic quaternary ammonium ions and strengthened the response to cocaine. The electrode exhibited a near-Nernstian response over a concentration range of 10⁻²to 10⁻⁶ M cocaine with a slope of 56 mV per decade. The lower limit of detection was 4 × 10⁻⁷ M cocaine. Interference by other drugs (morphine and codeine) and a stimulant (methamphetamine) was negligible. This electrode was applied for the determination of cocaine in a drug mixture containing cocaine and morphine, which is widely used to suppress acute pain in cancer patients. The concentration of cocaine, different in each patient, was measured precisely with an average recovery of 99.9% and a mean relative standard deviation of 0.56%.     

Selective Electroanalysis of Ascorbic Acid Using a Nickel Hexacyanoferrate and Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) Hybrid Film Modified Electrode

The mixed‐valent nickel hexacyanoferrate (NiHCF) and poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) hybrid film (NiHCF‐PEDOT) was prepared on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) by multiple scan cyclic voltammetry. The films were characterized using atomic force microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (AC impedance). The advantages of these films were demonstrated for the detection of ascorbic acid (AA) using cyclic voltammetry and amperometric techniques. The electrocatalytic oxidation of AA at different electrode surfaces, such as the bare GCE, the NiHCF/GCE, and the NiHCF‐PEDOT/GCE modified electrodes, was determined in phosphate buffer solution (pH 7). The AA electrochemical sensor exhibited a linear response from 5×10⁻⁶ to 1.5×10⁻⁴ M (R²=0.9973) and from 1.55×10⁻⁴ to 3×10⁻⁴ M (R²=0.9983), detection limit=1×10⁻⁶ M, with a fast response time (3 s) for AA determination. In addition, the NiHCF‐PEDOT/GCE was advantageous in terms of its simple preparation, specificity, stability and reproducibility.     

An All‐solid‐state Polymeric Membrane Ca2+‐selective Electrode Based on Hydrophobic Alkyl‐chain‐functionalized Graphene Oxide

An all‐solid‐state polymeric membrane Ca²⁺‐selective electrode based on hydrophobic octadecylamine‐functionalized graphene oxide has been developed. The hydrophobic composite in the ion‐selective membrane not only acts as a transduction element to improve the potential stability for the all‐solid‐state Ca²⁺‐selective electrode, but also is used to immobilize Ca²⁺ ionophore with lipophilic side chains through hydrophobic interactions. The developed all‐solid‐state Ca²⁺‐selective electrode shows a stable potential response in the linear range of 3.0×10⁻⁷–1.0×10⁻³ M with a slope of 24.7±0.3 mV/dec, and the detection limit is (1.6±0.2 )×10⁻⁷ M (n =3). Additionally, due to the hydrophobicity and electrical conductivity of the composite, the proposed all‐solid‐state ion‐selective electrode exhibits an improved stability with the absence of water layer between the ion‐selective membrane and the underlying glassy carbon electrode. This work provides a simple, efficient and low‐cost methodology for developing stable and robust all‐solid‐state ion‐selective electrode with ionophore immobilization.     

Pt‐Pd Bimetallic Nanoparticles Decorated Nanoporous Graphene as a Catalytic Amplification Platform for Electrochemical Detection of Xanthine

The nanoporous graphene papers (NGPs) was prepared by the hard‐template method. The Pt−Pd modified NGPs hybrid was prepared by the self‐assembly method. Then a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with Pt−Pd bimetallic nanoparticles‐functionalized nanoporous graphene composite has been prepared for the electrochemical determination of Xanthine (XA). The Pt−Pd/NGPs hybrid was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscope and X‐ray diffraction. The electrochemical behavior of XA on Pt−Pd/NGPs/GCE was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and amperometric i‐t. The Pt−Pd/NGPs modified electrode exhibited remarkably electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation reaction of XA in phosphate buffer solution (pH=5.5). Under the optimal conditions, the determination of XA was accomplished by using amperometric i‐t, the linear response range from 1.0×10⁻⁵∼1.2×10⁻⁴ M. The detection limit was 3.0×10⁻⁶ M (S/N=3). The proposed modified electrode showed good sensitivity, selectivity, and stability with applied to determine XA in human urine.     

Investigation of Silver(I) Ion Sensing Property of Ruthenium(II) Thiosemicarbazone Complex Using Coated Graphite and Polymeric Membrane Electrodes

A ruthenium(II) complex [Ru(PPh₃)₂(pytsc)₂] {Hpytsc = pyridine‐2‐carbaldehydethiosemicarbazone, (C₅H₅N)C²(H)=N³‐N²(H)‐C¹(=S)N¹H} has been used as an ion carrier for the selective determination of silver(I) ions in solution. Silver(I) ion‐selective coated graphite based (CGE) and PVC polymeric membrane based (PME) electrodes exhibit Nernstian slope for silver(I) ions over a wide concentration range from 1.0 × 10⁻¹ M to 5.0 × 10⁻⁶ M (with CGE) and 1.0 × 10⁻¹ M to 2.0 × 10⁻⁵ M (with PME). The working pH range of these electrodes has been found to be from 1.2 to 7.2 for CGE and 2.2 to 6.5 for PME. The proposed CGE sensor exhibits better analytical features like sensitivity and selectivity towards different secondary ions in comparison to the corresponding PME with no interference from mercury(II) ions . These electrodes also act as indicator electrodes in potentiometric titration and have been successfully used for the determination of silver content in solution of real samples (1 gm dissolved in 100 mL of dilute nitric acid) such as silver ornaments and thin silver foils. Silver content determined by the use of ion selective electrode was found to vary in the concentration range from 1.20 x 10⁻² M to 7.45 x 10⁻² M and results were found to be comparable with those obtained from the traditional volumetric method of analysis. It is the first report of a metal‐ligand complex used as an ion carrier in ion selective electrode, which is selective for a metal ion other than the one used in the complex.     

Sensitive Amperometric Determination of Thiocyanates at Ionic Liquid Nanohybrid Kaolinite Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

Electrochemical sensors have been developed by modifying a glassy carbon electrode with organo‐kaolinite hybrid materials. These materials were obtained by the grafting of four ionic liquids (1‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐4‐benzylpyridinium chloride, 1‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐4‐(tert‐butyl)pyridinium chloride, 1‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐4‐ethylpyridinium chloride and 1‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐4‐methylpyridinium chloride) on the interlayer aluminol surfaces of kaolinite. With the presence of ionic liquids in the interlayer space of kaolinite, the hybrid materials acquired anion exchange properties and were successfully applied as electrode modifier for the electroanalysis of thiocyanate (SCN⁻), an anion of medical and environmental concern. A pre‐concentration/detection strategy was used to overcome the interfering effect of the electrolytic solution. After the optimisation of some key experimental parameters (sodium nitrate as electrolyte, 5 min of accumulation time) calibration curves were plotted. Excellent linearity was obtained in the low concentration region (1×10⁻⁶ M to 4×10⁻⁵ M). The lowest detection limit (15 nM) was obtained with the benzylpyridinium functionalized kaolinite and the highest (60 nM) with the methylpyridinium functionalized kaolinite. Interfering anions (NO₃⁻, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻ and CH₃COO⁻) present in the pre‐concentration solution were found to interfere with SCN⁻ but the sensors remained stable and produced reproducible signals. The most sensitive sensor was successfully applied for the amperometric determination of SCN⁻ in human saliva samples.