Electrochemical performance of a three-layer electrode based on Bi nanoparticles,multi-walled carbon nanotube composites for simultaneous Hg(II) and Cu(II) detection

Electrochemical analysis is a promising technique for detecting biotoxic and non-biodegradable heavy metals. This article proposes a novel composite electrode based on a polyaniline (PANi) framework doped with bismuth nanoparticle@graphene oxide multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Bi NPs@GO-MWCNTs) for the simultaneous detection of multiple heavy metal ions. Composite electrodes are prepared on screen-printed electrodes (SPCEs) using an efficient dispensing technique. We used a SM200SX-3A dispenser to load a laboratory-specific ink with optimized viscosity and adhesion to draw a pattern on the work area. The SPCE was used as substrate to facilitate cost-effective and more convenient real-time detection technology. Electrochemical techniques, such as cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry, were used to demonstrate the sensing capabilities of the proposed sensor. The sensitivity, limit of detection, and linear range of the PANi-Bi NPs@GO-MWCNT electrode are 2.57 × 10² μA L μmol⁻¹ cm⁻², 0.01 nmol/L, and 0.01 nmol/L–5 mmol/L and 0.15 × 10⁻¹ μA L μmol⁻¹ cm⁻², 0.5 nmol/L, and 0.5 nmol/L–5 mmol/L for mercury ion (Hg(II)) and copper ion (Cu(II)) detection, respectively. In addition, the electrode exhibits a good selectivity and repeatability for Hg(II) and Cu(II) sensing when tested in a complex heavy metal ion solution. The constructed electrode system exhibits a detection performance superior to similar methods and also increases the types of heavy metal ions that can be detected. Therefore, the proposed device can be used as an efficient sensor for the detection of multiple heavy metal ions in complex environments.     

Gold nanoparticles decorated carbon fiber mat as a novel sensing platform for sensitive detection of Hg(II)

The three-dimensional fibril-like carbon fiber mat electrode (CFME) decorated with Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) was employed to construct Hg(II) sensing platform for the first time. The highly porous feature of CFME combining the high affinity of AuNPs for mercury endowed the sensing platform with high sensitivity and good reproducibility. Under optimal conditions, the prepared AuNPs/CFME was capable of sensing Hg(II) with a detection limit of 0.1 μg L^− 1 (S/N = 3) using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). Finally, the AuNPs/CFME was successfully demonstrated for the determination of Hg(II) in real water samples with satisfactory results.     

An insight to the filtration mechanism of Pb(II) at the surface of a clay ceramic membrane through its preconcentration at the surface of a graphite/clay composite working electrode

The use of cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear scan anodic stripping voltammetry (LSASV) to predict the selectivity of microfiltration ceramic membranes made from a lump of local clay towards Pb(II) ions filtration is described. The membranes were characterized by different techniques followed by CV analysis of the Fe(CN)₆^3-/Fe(CN)₆^4- redox couple and Pb(II) on bare graphite, raw clay, and clay-modified carbon paste electrode (clay-modified CPE). The effect of clay loading in the range of 1–10 % (w/w) on the electrodes is studied, where an enhanced peak current is observed for 5 % w/w clay. Moreover, a decrease in the peak current can be seen for bare graphite electrodes, suggesting that the clay mineral had played a substantial role in the sieving of heavy metal ions through the ceramic membrane. The electroactive surface area of 5% w/w raw clay towards Fe(II) ions was found to be in the order of 3.07 × 10^-2 cm² and higher than 5% w/w clay sintered to 1000 °C and bare graphite. CV analysis shows that both, 5 % w/w raw clay and 5 % w/w clay sintered to 1000 °C exhibited high peak currents towards Pb(II) ions. The mobility of the Pb(II) ions is found to increase when 5% w/w clay sintered to 1000 °C is utilized as membrane/electrode, leading to an increase in the amount of reduced Pb(II) ions on the surfaces of the clay membranes/electrodes. The study suggests successful filtration of Pb(II) ions through the proposed membrane/electrode and a much better accumulation than Fe(II) at the surface of the membrane/electrode before being subjected to filtration.     

Highly selective thiocyanate electrode based on bis-bebzoin-semitriethylenetetraamine binuclear copper(II) complex as neutral carrier

A novel selective thiocyanate PVC membrane electrode based on bis-bebzoin-semitriethylenetetraamine binuclear copper(II) [Cu(II)₂–BBSTA] as neutral carrier is reported, which displays an anti-Hofmeister selectivity sequence in following order: SCN⁻ > ClO₄⁻ > I⁻ >Sal⁻ >SO₃²⁻ >NO₃⁻ > H₂PO₄⁻ > Cl⁻ >NO₂⁻ > SO₄²⁻. The electrode exhibits Nernstian potential linear range to thiocyanate from 1.0 × 10⁻¹ to 9.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol/l with a detection limit 7.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol/l and a slope of −57.0 mV/decade in pH 5.0 of phosphorate buffer solution at 25 °C. The response mechanism is discussed in view of the AC impedance technique and the UV spectroscopy technique. From comparison of potentiometric response characteristics between the binuclear metallic complex copper(II) [Cu(II)₂–BBSTA] and mononuclear copper(II) metallic complex [Cu(II)–BBSDA], an enhanced response towards thiocyanate from the electrode based on binuclear metallic complex copper (II) [Cu(II)₂–BBSTA] was observed. The electrode based on binuclear copper(II) compound was used to determine the thiocyanate content in waste water with satisfactory results.     

Highly sensitive electrochemical detection of mercury (II) via single ion-induced three-way junction of DNA

A “signal-on” electrochemical sensing strategy was designed for highly sensitive and selective detection of mercury (II) via its induction to three-way junction of DNA (DNA-TWJ). The TWJ consisted of the capture probe that was self-assembled on a gold electrode surface through SAu bond, the signal probe that was labeled with ferrocene (Fc) and contained single T–T mismatch to capture probe, and an assistant probe for the formation of DNA-TWJ upon the presence of mercury (II). This process caused the Fc tag approaching the electrode for fast electron transfer and thus increased the oxidation current. The “signal-on” sensing method could detect Hg^2 + ranging from 0.005 to 100 nM. The assay was simple and fast. It showed potential application in on-site and real-time Hg^2 + detection.     

Zirconium(IV) phosphosulphosalicylate-based ion selective membrane electrode for potentiometric determination of Pb(II) ions

Zirconium(IV) phosphosulphosalicylate, a cation exchanger was synthesized by mixing zirconium oxychloride to a mixture of 5-sulphosalicylic acid and phosphoric acid. The material showed good efficiency for the preparation of an ion-selective membrane electrode. The membrane was characterized affinity for Pb(II) ions. Due to its Pb(II) selective nature, the ion-exchanger was used as an electroactive by XRD and SEM analysis. The electrode responds to Pb(II) ions in a linear range from 1 × 10⁻⁵ to 1 × 10⁻¹ M with a slope of 43.8 mV per decade change in concentration with detection limit of 4.78 × 10⁻⁶ M. The life span of electrode was found to be 90 days. The proposed electrode showed satisfactory performance over a pH range of 4.0–6.5, with a fast response time of 15 s. The sensor has been applied to the determination of Pb(II) ions in water samples of different origins. It has also been used as indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of Pb(II) ion with EDTA.     

Mesophase and magnetic behavior in cobalt(II) and iron(II) compounds

The metal complexes with long alkyl chains [Co(C16-terpy)₃](BF₄)₂ (1) and [Fe(C16-terpy)₂](BF₄)₂ (2) were synthesized and the physical properties of the complex were characterized by magnetic susceptibility, Mössbauer spectroscopy, polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray scattering, where C16-terpy is 4′-hexadecyloxy-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements and/or Mössbauer studies revealed that the complex 1 exhibited unique spin transition (T_1/2↓ = 217 K and T_1/2↑ = 260 K) induced by structural phase transition, and the complex 2 was in the low-spin state in the temperature region of 5–400 K before the first mesophase transition. The cobalt(II) and iron(II) complexes exhibited liquid-crystal properties in the temperature range of 371–528 K and 466–556 K, respectively. After mesophase transition, the complex 1 exhibited only slight spin transition (T_1/2↓ = 266 K and T_1/2↑ = 279 K), and the complex 2 was in the low-spin state. The compounds with multifunction, i.e., magnetic property and liquid-crystal properties, are important in the development of molecular materials.     

Determination of formal potential of NADH/NAD+ redox couple and catalytic oxidation of NADH using poly(phenosafranin)-modified carbon electrodes

The electrochemical regeneration of NADH/NAD⁺ redox couple has been studied using poly(phenosafranin) (PPS)-modified carbon electrodes to evaluate the formal potential and catalytic rate constant for the oxidation of NADH. The PPS-modified electrodes were prepared by electropolymerization of phenosafranin onto different carbon substrates (glassy carbon (GC) and basal-plane pyrolytic graphite (BPPG)) in different electrolytic solutions. The formal potential was estimated to be ? 0.365 ± 0.002 V vs. SHE at pH 7.0. As for the bare carbon electrodes, the oxidation of NADH at the BPPG electrode was found to be enhanced compared with the GC electrode. For the PPS-modified electrodes, it was found that the electrocatalysis of PPS-modified electrodes for the oxidation of NADH largely depends on the carbon substrate and electrolyte solution employed for their preparation, i.e., the PPS-modified BPPG electrode prepared in 0.2 M NaClO₄/acetonitrile solution exhibits an excellent and persistent electrocatalytic property toward NADH oxidation in phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.0) with a diminution of the overpotential of about 740 and 670 mV compared with those at the bare GC electrode and the PPS-modified GC electrode prepared in 0.2 M H₂SO₄ solution, respectively. A quantitative analysis of the electrocatalytic reaction based on rotating disk voltammetry gave the electrocatalytic reaction rate constants of the order of 10³–10⁴ M^?1 s^? 1 depending on the preparation conditions of the PPS-modified electrodes.     

Influence of surface oxygen groups on V(II) oxidation reaction kinetics

The role of surface oxygen groups on the kinetics of the V(II) oxidation reaction was studied on modified glassy carbon (GC) electrodes by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The reaction was found to be sensitive to the presence of oxygen groups on the electrode surface. Higher O/C ratios determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) corresponded to higher reactivities and lower charge transfer resistances measured in a 1 M V(II) electrolyte. The stability of an oxidised GC surface was also investigated in a 1 M V(II) electrolyte by potential holding and cycling experiments. It was found that after holding and cycling to successively more negative potentials up to − 0.8 V/RHE, the electrode surface lost its initial reactivity.     

Novel 4-carboxyphenyl-grafted screen-printed electrode for trace Cu(II) determination

This paper reports the interest of 4-carboxyphenyl-grafted screen-printed electrodes (4-CP-SPEs) for trace Cu(II) measurement in water samples. These novel sensors were easily prepared via electrochemically reduction of the corresponding diazonium salt. Detection of Cu(II) was then achieved by immersing the grafted electrode into the sample solution for 10 min, followed by the electrochemical measurement of accumulated metallic ions.The efficiency of the Cu(II) adsorption at the grafted layer was clearly demonstrated. 4-CP-SPEs were able to detect and quantify Cu(II) as low as 5 × 10^?9 and 10^?8 M in a large ionic strength range. Moreover, no major interference of Pb(II) in the determination of Cu(II) is expected in natural water. Electrodes were finally successfully applied for Cu(II) determination in tap water and in estuarine water demonstrating the convenience of such sensors for environmental analysis.     

Benign synthesis of N-(8-quinolyl)pyridine-2-carboxamide) ligand (Hbpq), and its Ni (II) and Cu (II) complexes. A fluorescent probe for direct detection of nitric oxide in acetonitrile solution based on Hbpq copper(II) acetate interaction

The ligand Hbpq = N-(8-quinolyl)pyridine-2-carboxamide) has been prepared using tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) as an environmentally friendly reaction medium. Four new complexes of this ligand, [M(bpq)X] (M = Cu(II), X = SCN̄ (1), N₃̄ (2); M = Ni(II), X = SCN̄ (3), N₃̄ (4)), have also been synthesized and fully characterized. The crystal and molecular structures of [Cu(bpq)(NCS)]_n (1) have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Copper(II) ion adopts a distorted square pyramidal (4 + 1) coordination in this complex. Hbpq ligand shows a strong emission at 500 nm in acetonitrile solution. The emission is quenched in the presence of copper(II) acetate, apparently because of the formation of [Cu(L)(OAc)(H₂O)] complex. Introduction of nitric oxide (NO) into the acetonitrile solution at room temperature induces an increase in the fluorescence intensity, presumably due to the reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I). This process is reversible and can form a basis for direct detection of NO.     

Evaluation of a platinum electrode modified with hydroxyapatite in the lead(II) determination in a square wave voltammetric procedure

The behavior of a modified carbon platinum electrode (Pt) for lead(II) determination by square wave voltammetry (SWV) was studied. The modified electrode is obtained by electrodeposition of hydroxyapatite (HAP) on the surface of a bare platinum electrode. The new electrode (HAP/Pt) revealed interesting electroanalytical detection of lead(II) based on the adsorption of this metal onto hydroxyapatite under open circuit conditions. After optimization of the experimental and voltammetric conditions, the best voltammetric responses-current intensity and voltammetric profile were obtained in 0.2 mol L^?1 KNO₃ with: 30 min accumulation time, 5 mV pulse amplitude and 1 mV s^?1 scan rate. The observed detection (DL, 3σ) and quantification (DL, 10σ) limits in pure water were 2.01 × 10^?8 and 6.7 × 10^?7 mol L^?1, respectively. The reproducibility of the proposed method was determined from five different measurements in a solution containing 2.2 × 10^?6 mol L^?1 lead(II) with a coefficients of variation of 2.08%.The electrochemical of hydroxyapatite at platinum surfaces was characterized, after calcinations 900 °C, by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, chemical and electrochemical analysis.     

Mesoporous silica thin film mechanized with a DNAzyme-based molecular switch for electrochemical biosensing

A novel electroanalytical strategy for copper and ascorbic acid detection was developed by using a nanostructured electrode surface mechanized with a DNAzyme-based molecular gate. This sensing interface was constructed by first electrodeposition of a mesoporous silica thin film on Au electrodes and further assembly of a Cu(II)-specific DNAzyme. The biosensing assay was based on the Cu(II) and ascorbic acid responsible activation of the DNAzyme, which acted as a molecular switch able to control the diffusion of the Fe(CN)₆^{3 −/4 −} electrochemical probe through the nanochannels of the mesoporous film.     

Strontium(II) selective PVC membrane electrode based acetophenone semicarbazone (ACS) as an ionophore

A new PVC membrane based strontium(II) ion-selective electrode has been constructed using acetophenone semicarbazone as a neutral carrier. The sensor exhibits a Nerstian response for strontium(II) ion over a wide concentration range 1.0 × 10⁻²–1.0 × 10⁻⁷ M with the slope of 29.4 mV/per decade. The limit of detection was 2.7 × 10⁻⁸ M. It was relatively fast response time (<10 s for concentration ⩾1.0 × 10⁻³ and <15 s for concentration of ⩾1.0 × 10⁻⁶ M) and can be used for 8 months without any considerable divergence in potentials. The proposed sensor revealed relatively good selectivity and high sensitivity for strontium(II) over a mono, di, trivalent cation and can be used in a pH range of 2.5–10.5. It was also successfully used as an indicator electrode in potentiometer titration and in the analysis of concentration in various real samples.     

Asymmetric Schiff base as carrier in PVC membrane electrodes for manganese (II) ions

Manganese(II) complex of (E)-2-(hydroxyl-5-methoxybenzylideneamino) phenol was synthesized and used as a suitable Mn(II) – selective membrane in PVC matrix. The plasticized membrane sensor exhibits a nersian response for Mn(II) ions over a wide concentration range of 6 × 10^?6–2 × 10^?2 M with slope of 29 ± 1 mV per decade. It has a response time of <11 s and can be used for 2 months without any measurable divergence in potential. The response of the proposed sensor is independent of pH between 4 and 9.5. The proposed sensor shows a fairly good discriminating ability towards Mn(II) in comparison with some hard and soft metals. The electrode was used in the determination of Mn(II) in aqueous solutions and as an indicator electrode in potentiometer titration of manganese ions against EDTA.     

Strong intramolecular ferromagnetic couplings in nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes chelated with tert-butyl 5-methoxy-2-pyridyl nitroxide

We successfully isolated a new paramagnetic bidentate ligand tert-butyl 5-methoxy-2-pyridyl nitroxide (meopyNO). Complexation of nickel(II) and copper(II) perchlorates with meopyNO gave the corresponding ML₂-type bis-chelated compounds. The magnetic studies showed that they were ground high-spin molecules with 2J/k_B = +288(5) and +178(3) K for [M(meopyNO)₂(H₂O)₂] · (ClO₄)₂ (M = Ni and Cu, respectively), where the spin Hamiltonian is defined as H = ?2J(S₁ · S₂ + S₂ · S₃). From the crystallographic analysis, the torsion angles (?) around M–O–N–C_2py were 4.2(3)° and 6.87(19)°, respectively, being so small that the orthogonality between the magnetic radical π1 and the metal dσ orbitals would be guaranteed.     

A microfluidic electrochemical device for high sensitivity biosensing: Detection of nanomolar hydrogen peroxide

We report herein a simple device for rapid biosensing consisting of a single microfluidic channel made from poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) coupled to an injector, and incorporating a biocatalytic sensing electrode, reference and counter electrodes. The sensing electrode was a gold wire coated with 5 nm glutathione-decorated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Sensitive detection of H₂O₂ based on direct bioelectrocatalysis by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was used for evaluation. HRP was covalently linked the glutathione–AuNPs. This electrode presented quasi-reversible cyclic voltammetry peaks at ?0.01 V vs. Ag/AgCl at pH 6.5 for the HRP heme Fe^III/Fe^II couple. Direct electrochemical activity of HRP was used to detect H₂O₂ at high sensitivity with a detection limit of 5 nM in an unmediated system.     

Thermodynamic and isotherm studies of the biosorption of Cu(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) by leaves of saltbush (Atriplex canescens)

The Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms were used to describe the biosorption of Cu(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) onto the saltbush leaves biomass at 297 K and pH 5.0. The correlation coefficients (R²) obtained from the Freundlich model were 0.9798, 0.9575, and 0.9963 for Cu, Pb, and Zn, respectively, while for the Langmuir model the R² values for the same metals were 0.0001, 0.1380, and 0.0088, respectively. This suggests that saltbush leaves biomass sorbed the three metals following the Freundlich model (R² > 0.9575). The K_F values obtained from the Freundlich model (175.5 · 10⁻², 10.5 · 10⁻², and 6.32 · 10⁻² mol · g⁻¹ for Pb, Zn, and Cu, respectively), suggest that the metal binding affinity was in the order Pb > Zn > Cu. The experimental values of the maximal adsorption capacities of saltbush leaves biomass were 0.13 · 10⁻², 0.05 · 10⁻², and 0.107 · 10⁻² mol · g⁻¹ for Pb, Zn, and Cu, respectively. The negative ΔG^∘ values for Pb and the positive values for Cu and Zn indicate that the Pb biosorption by saltbush biomass was a spontaneous process.     

Two highly unsymmetrical tetradentate (N3O) Schiff base copper(II) complexes: Template synthesis,structural characterization,magnetic and computational studies

Two new copper(II) complexes, [Cu₂(L¹)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1) and [Cu(L²)(ClO₄)] (2), of the highly unsymmetrical tetradentate (N₃O) Schiff base ligands HL¹ and HL² (where HL¹ = N-(2-hydroxyacetophenone)-bis-3-aminopropylamine and HL² = N-(salicyldehydine)-bis-3-aminopropylamine) have been synthesised using a template method. Their single crystal X-ray structures show that in complex 1 two independent copper(II) centers are doubly bridged through phenoxo-O atoms (O1A and O1B) of the two ligands and each copper atom is five-coordinated with a distorted square pyramidal geometry. The asymmetric unit of complex 2 consists of two crystallographically independent N-(salicylidene)-bis(aminopropyl)amine-copper(II) molecules, A and B, with similar square pyramidal geometries. Cryomagnetic susceptibility measurements (5–300 K) on complex 1 reveal a distinct antiferromagnetic interaction with J = ?23.6 cm^?1, which is substantiated by a DFT calculation (J = ?27.6 cm^?1) using the B3LYP functional. Complex 1, immobilized over highly ordered hexagonal mesoporous silica, shows moderate catalytic activity for the epoxidation of cyclohexene and styrene in the presence of TBHP as an oxidant.     

Low-dimensional quantum magnetic systems: Synthesis,structure and magnetic behavior of (2,5-dimethylpyrazine)copper(II) chloride and synthesis and magnetic behavior of bis(2,6-dimethylpyrazine)copper(II) chloride

The synthesis, X-ray structure and magnetic susceptibility of (2,5-dimethylpyrazine)copper(II) chloride (1), and the synthesis and magnetic susceptibility of (2,6-dimethylpyrazine)₂copper(II) chloride (2), are reported. Compound 1 crystallizes in the space group P2₁/c as a coordination polymer of Cu(II) ions bridged by 2,5-methylpyrazine. The resulting chains are magnetically linked via short chloride–chloride contacts. The magnetic susceptibility responds as a uniform Heisenberg chain (2J/k = −20(5) K) with a phase transition to three dimensional order near 5 K. Susceptibility data for compound 2 show that the compound is a linear chain coordination polymer with the copper ions linked by bihalide bridges. A fit to the model for a uniform Heisenberg chain yields 2J = −22.7(2) K.