Catalytic Adsorptive Stripping Chronopotentiometry of Co(II)‐DMG‐Bromate System at an In Situ Plated Lead Film Electrode

A novel catalytic adsorptive stripping chronopotentiometric (CC‐CAdSCP) procedure for the determination of Co(II) traces was developed using a lead film electrode (PbFE). The PbFE was generated in situ on a glassy carbon support from a 0.1 M ammonia buffer containing 1×10^?5 M Pb(II), 6.5×10^?5 M DMG and the target metals. An addition of 0.2 M NaBrO₃ to the solution yielded an 11‐fold catalytic enhancement of chronopotentiometric response of the Co(II)‐DMG complex. The CC‐CAdSCP curves were well‐developed, sharp and reproducible (RSD 5.0 % for 5×10^?9 M Co(II)). The limit of detection for Co(II) for 210 s of accumulation time was 4×10^?10 M (0.024 µg L^?1). In addition, the elaborated method allowed the simultaneous quantification of Co(II) and Ni(II) simultaneously.     

Thiol‐Functionalized Silica Thin Film Modified Electrode in Determination of Mercury Ions in Natural Water

The use of a thin thiol‐functionalized silica film modified glassy carbon electrode in the determination of Hg(II) ions in a natural water sample is described. A typical measurement involves two successive steps: a glassy carbon electrode coated with a thin mesoporous silica film containing 10% of mercaptopropyl groups, according to the MPTMS/TEOS ratio in the starting sol‐gel, was first immersed into the accumulation medium for 15 min, then removed, and finally transferred into a detection solution containing KCl 1.0 mol L^?1 where detection was performed by anodic stripping voltammetry. In this medium the previously accumulated Hg²⁺ species complexed by the thiol groups in an open circuit preconcentration step is then directly reduced at ?0.6 V during 60 s prior to be quantified by a differential pulse anodic scan from ?0.6 to 0.3 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). A stripping peak appeared at about ?0.01 V, which is directly proportional to the quantity of the analyte previously accumulated into the film. The best results were obtained under the following conditions: 100 mV pulse amplitude and 10 mV s^?1 scan rate in 1.0 mol L^?1 KCl solution pH 2.0. Using such parameters a linear dynamic range from 1.00 to 10.0×10^?8 mol L^?1 Hg(II) was observed with a limit of detection of 4.3 nmol L^?1 for an accumulation time of 15 min. Hg(II) spiked in a natural water sample was determined between 97.0 and 101.4% mean recovery at 10^?8 mol L^?1 level. The results indicate that this electrode is sensitive and selective for the Hg(II)determination.     

Detection of Trace Phenol Based on Mesoporous Silica Derived Tyrosinase‐Peroxidase Biosensor

A novel electrochemical biosensor for phenol based on immobilization of tyrosinase‐peroxidase on mesoporous silica is described. The enhanced sensitivity of the tyrosinase‐horseradish peroxidase based biosensor to phenol was observed on comparing with tyrosinase or horseradish peroxidase monoenzyme modified electrodes. Two enzymes retained their enzymatic activities for phenol determination without any mediator. The preparation conditions of the biosensor are discussed. Optimization of the experimental parameters was performed with regard to pH and operating potential. The phenol sensor exhibited a fast response of less than 10 seconds. The sensitivity of the biosensor for phenol was 14 μA μM^?1 cm^?2 with a linear range from 2×10^?7 to 2.3×10^?4 M and a detection limit of 4.1×10^?9 M. The biosensor showed a good stability and reproducibility.     

Pt‐Nanoparticle Incorporated Carbon Paste Electrode for the Determination of Cu(II) Ion by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry

Pt‐nanoparticles were synthesized and introduced into a carbon paste electrode (CPE), and the resulting modified electrode was applied to the anodic stripping voltammetry of copper(II) ions. The synthesized Pt‐nanoparticles were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques to confirm the purity and the size of the prepared Pt‐nanoparticles (ca. 20 nm). This incorporated material seems to act as catalysts with preconcentration sites for copper(II) species that enhances the sensitivity of Cu(II) ions to Cu(I) species at a deposition potential of ?0.6 V in an aqueous solution. The experimental conditions, such as, the electrode composition, pH of the solution, pre‐concentration time, were optimized for the determination of Cu(II) ion using as‐prepared electrode. The sensitivity changes on the different binder materials and the presence of surfactants in the test solution. The interference effect of the coexisted metals were also investigated. In the presence of surfactants, especially TritonX‐100, the Cu(II) detection limit was lowered to 3.9×10^?9 M. However, the Pt‐nanoparticle modified CPE begins to degrade when the period of deposition exceeds to 10 min. Linear response for copper(II) was found in the concentration range between 3.9×10^?8 M and 1.6×10^?6 M, with an estimated detection limit of 1.6×10^?8 M (1.0 ppb) and relative standard deviation was 4.2% (n=5).     

Highly Sensitive and Selective Detection of Pb(II) by NH2−SiO2/Ru(bpy)32+−UiO66 based Solid‐state ECL Sensor

In this study, a novel electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor for highly sensitive and selective detection of Pb(II) was developed based on Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ encapsulated UiO66 metal‐organic‐framework (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺?UiO66 MOF) and ?NH₂ group functionalized silica (NH₂?SiO₂). The NH₂?SiO₂ with large surface area provided an excellent platform for the ECL sensor. As numerous exposed carboxyl groups were present on UiO66 backbone, the Ru(bpy)₃²⁺?UiO66 could be steadily immobilized to NH₂?SiO₂ by forming amide bonds. Meanwhile, the introduced UiO66 MOF which used for the encapsulation of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺, significantly enhanced the ECL efficiency of the proposed sensor, as it possessed a large specific surface area and porosity for the loading of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺. Moreover, a high quenching effect on ECL intensity was obtained in the presence of Pb(II) in the electrolyte. Under the optimal conditions, the quenched ECL intensity showed a good linear relationship within Pb(II) concentration in the range from 1.0×10^?6 to 1.0×10² μM, with a detection limit of 1.0×10^?7 μM (S/N=3). The proposed sensor for Pb(II) detection was simple in operation, rapid in testing, stable in signal, and showed a good anti‐interference ability to some other metal ions. Besides, its application for detecting Pb(II) in a real sample was also investigated here. This work provides a potential platform for metal ions detection in environmental monitoring field.     

Bismuth‐Coated Iridium Microwire Electrode for the Determination of Trace Metals by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry

This work reports the utility of an iridium microwire plated in situ with a bismuth film for the simultaneous determination of Pb(II) and Cd(II) by square‐wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). The experimental variables (concentration of the bismuth plating solution, preconcentration potential, accumulation time) were investigated. The limit of detection was 1 µg L^?1 for Pb(II) and 1.5 µg L^?1 for Cd(II) (at 300 s of preconcentration) and the % relative standard deviations were lower than 4.9 % and 5.5 %, respectively, at the 20 µg L^?1 level (n=8). In addition, a study was made of coating the iridium‐based bismuth‐film microsensor with a film of Nafion for operation in the presence of surfactants. Finally, the electrode was applied to the determination of Pb(II) and Cd(II) in wastewater and tapwater samples.     

A Novel PVC‐Membrane‐Coated Graphite Sensor Based on an Anthraquinone Derivative Membrane for the Determination of Lead

A highly selective membrane electrode for the determination of ultratrace amounts of lead was prepared. The PVC membrane electrode based on 2‐(2‐ethanoloxymethyl)‐1‐hydroxy‐9,10‐anthraquinone (AQ), directly coated on graphite, exhibits a good Nernstian response for Pb(II) ions over a very wide concentration range (1.0×10^?7–1.0×10^?2 M) with a limit of detection of 8.0×10^?8 M. It has a fast response time of ca. 10 s and can be used over a period 2 months with good reproducibility (SD=±0.2 mV). The electrode revealed a very good selectivity respect to common alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions and could be used in the pH range of 3.5–6.8. It was used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of lead ions with chromate and oxalate, and in indirect determination of lead in spring water samples.     

Lead(II) Potentiometric Sensor Based on 1,4,8,11‐Tetrathiacyclotetradecane Neutral Carrier and Lipophilic Additives

A potentiometric sensor for lead(II) ions based on the use of 1,4,8,11‐tetrathiacyclotetradecane (TTCTD) as a neutral ionophore and potassium tetrakis‐(p‐chlorophenyl)borate as a lipophilic additive in plasticized PVC membranes is developed. The sensor exhibits linear potentiometric response towards lead(II) ions over the concentration range of 1.0×10^?5–1.0×10^?2 mol L^?1 with a Nernstian slope of 29.9 mV decade^?1 and a lower limit of detection of 2.2×10^?6 mol L^?1 Pb(II) ions over the pH range of 3–6.5. Sensor membrane without a lipophilic additive displays poor response. The sensor shows high selectivity for Pb(II) over a wide variety of alkali, alkaline earth and transition metal ions. The sensor shows long life span, high reproducibility, fast response and long term stability. Validation of the method by measuring the lower limit of detection, lower limit of linear range, accuracy, precision and sensitivity reveals good performance characteristics of the proposed sensor. The developed sensor is successfully applied to direct determination of lead(II) in real samples. The sensor is also used as an indicator electrode for the potentiometric titration of Pb(II) with EDTA and potassium chromate. The results obtained agree fairly well with data obtained by AAS.     

Quantitative Analysis of Prometrine Herbicide by Liquid–Liquid Extraction Procedures Coupled to Electrochemical Measurements

A sensitive method is proposed for the preconcentration and quantification of the herbicide Prometrine (PROM) at a liquid‐liquid interface employing square‐wave voltammetry. The preconcentration stage was based on liquid‐liquid extraction methodology and the PROM quantification was carried out from the peak current of square‐wave voltammograms. Under the experimental conditions employed, linear calibration curves in the concentration range 1.0×10^?6 M–5.0×10^?5 M, with detection limit equal to 1.5×10^?6 M were obtained without pretreatment of the samples. This linear range, as well as detection limit could be extended towards lower concentrations when a pretreatment procedure was employed. In this way, linearity of calibration curves between 8.0×10^?8 M and 2.4×10^?7 M and detection limit of 1.0×10^?7 M, were observed. On the other hand, the standard addition method was also used as an alternative and an appropriated quantification technique for this system. A linear concentration range between 1.0×10^?6 M and 2.7×10^?5 M, with a correlation coefficient of 0.997, was obtained. This procedure has also a promising application in the separation of herbicides from other interferents, present in real samples, previous to their quantification.     

A Highly Selective and Sensitive Barium(II)‐Selective PVC Membrane Based on Dimethyl 1‐Acetyl‐8‐oxo‐2,8‐dihydro‐ 1H‐pyra‐zolo[5,1‐a]isoindole‐2,3‐dicarboxylate

A poly(vinyl chloride)‐based membrane of dimethyl 1‐acetyl‐8‐oxo‐2,8‐dihydro‐1H‐pyra‐zolo[5,1‐a]isoindole‐2,3‐dicarboxylate as a neutral carrier with sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) as an anion excluder and 2‐nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE) as plasticizer was prepared and investigated as a Ba(II)‐selective electrode. The electrode exhibits a Nernstian slope of 29.7±0.4 mV per decade over a wide concentration range (1.0×10^?6 to 1.0×10^?1 M) with a detection limit of 7.6×10^?7 M between pH 3.0 and 11.0. The response time of the sensor is about 10 s and it can be used over a period of 2 months without any divergence in potential. The proposed membrane sensor revealed good selectivity for Ba(II) over a wide variety of other metal ions. It was successfully used in direct determination of barium ions in industrial wastewater samples.     

Amino‐Containing Ultrafine Organosilica‐Nanoparticle‐Modified Au Electrode for the Determination of Cu(II) Ions

Using 3‐Aminopropyltriethoxysilane(APTES) as a single silica source, an amino‐rich ultrafine organosilica‐nanoparticle‐modified Au electrode was fabricated, following the formation of (3‐mercaptopropyl)‐trimethoxysilane (MPTS) monolayer on Au surface (MPTS/Au). With cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as an additive, APTES‐based gel particles on the electrode have a narrow particle size distribution of 4–7 nm and “crystal‐like” structure. AFM and electrochemical characterization confirmed the successful grafting of APTES nanoparticles on MPTS/Au. The APTES/MPTS/Au electrode is highly sensitive for the detection of copper(II) ions with a detection limit as low as 1.6×10^?12 mol L^?1 (S/N>3) by square wave voltammetry. The current is linear to copper(II) concentration between 1.6×10^?12 and 6.25×10^?10 mol L^?1.     

Simultaneous Voltammetric Determination of Zn(II), Pb(II), Cu(II), and Hg(II) in Ethanol Fuel Using an Organofunctionalized Modified Graphite‐Polyurethane Composite Disposable Screen‐Printed Device

A disposable screen‐printed device containing working, auxiliary, and reference electrodes is proposed for the simultaneous voltammetric determination of Zn(II), Pb(II), Cu(II), and Hg(II) in ethanol fuel. The working electrode was printed using an ink modified with 2‐benzothiazole‐2‐thiol organofunctionalized SBA‐15 silica, in order to increase sensitivity. The performance of this electrode was compared with that of bare and SBA‐15‐modified electrodes. After optimizing the experimental parameters, the device was applied in determination of the analytes in commercial ethanol fuel samples, using 0.10 mol L^?1 KCl/ethanol ratios of 30 : 70 (v/v), with [H⁺]=10^?5 mol L^?1. After 5 min of preconcentration at ? 1.3 V (vs. pseudo‐Ag/AgCl), four well‐resolved signals were obtained, enabling simultaneous determination of the four analytes using a differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) procedure. The limits of detection were 0.30, 0.065, 0.030, and 0.046 µmol L^?1 for Zn(II), Pb(II), Cu(II), and Hg(II), respectively. The results of these analyses were in agreement with those obtained using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS) for Pb(II), Cu(II), and Hg(II), and high‐resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry (HR‐CS‐FAAS) for Zn²⁺, at a 95 % confidence level. Analytes originally present in the samples could be detected, and the interference of some cations and anions was evaluated.     

Trace Analysis of Lead and Copper Ions in Fish Tissue Using Paste Electrodes

Abstract

DNA was immobilized onto a carbon nanotube surface through cyclic voltammetry, in which paste electrode (PE) was subjected to lead and copper trace ion analysis. Optimized conditions for square‐wave stripping voltammetry were then searched. The results indicated three other linear working ranges—3–21 mg l^?1, 2–16 µg l^?1, and 3–17 ng l^?1 Pb(II) Cu(II)—within an accumulation time of 190 s in 0.1‐M ammonium phosphate electrolyte solutions of pH 10.0. At the optimized conditions, the detection limit (S/N) was pegged at 0.4 ng l^?1 (1.93×10^?12 M Pb(II) and 6.29×10^?12 M Cu(II)). And the relative standard deviation at 10 mg l^?1 Pb(II) and Cu(II) was a 0.074 and 0.069% precision, in 15 measurements. The method can be applied to assays of fish tissue.     

Non‐covalent Immobilization of Iron‐triazole (Fe(Htrz)3) Molecular Mediator in Mesoporous Silica Films for the Electrochemical Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide

Mesoporous silica thin films encapsulating a molecular iron‐triazole complex, Fe(Htrz)₃ (Htrz=1,2,4,‐1H‐triazole), have been generated by electrochemically assisted self‐assembly (EASA) on indium‐tin oxide (ITO) electrode. The obtained modified electrodes are characterized by well‐defined voltammetric signals corresponding to the Fe^II/III centers of the Fe(Htrz)₃ species immobilized into the films, indicating fast electron transfer processes and stable operational stability. This is due to the presence of a high density of redox probes in the material (1.6×10^?4 mol g^?1 Fe(Htrz)₃ in the mesoporous silica film) enabling efficient charge transport by electron hopping. The mesoporous films are uniformly deposited over the whole electrode surface and they are characterized by a thickness of 110 nm and a wormlike mesostructure directed by the template role played by Fe(Htrz)₃ species in the EASA process. These species are durably immobilized in the material (they are not removed by solvent extraction). The composite mesoporous material (denoted Fe(Htrz)₃@SiO₂) is then used for the electrocatalytic detection of hydrogen peroxide, which can be performed by amperometry at an applied potential of ?0.4 V versus Ag/AgCl and by flow injection analysis. The organic‐inorganic hybrid film electrode displays good sensitivity for H₂O₂ sensing over a dynamic range from 5 to 300 μM, with a detection limit estimated at 2 μM.     

Rolling‐Circle Amplification Detection of Thrombin Using Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy with Core‐Shell Nanoparticle Probe

An ultrasensitive surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensor based on rolling‐circle amplification (RCA)‐increased “hot‐spot” was developed for the detection of thrombin. The sensor contains a SERS gold nanoparticle@Raman label@SiO₂ core‐shell nanoparticle probe in which the Raman reporter molecules are sandwiched between a gold nanoparticle core and a thin silica shell by a layer‐by‐layer method. Thrombin aptamer sequences were immobilized onto the magnetic beads (MBs) through hybridization with their complementary strand. In the presence of thrombin, the aptamer sequence was released; this allowed the remaining single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) to act as primer and initiate in situ RCA reaction to produce long ssDNAs. Then, a large number of SERS probes were attached on the long ssDNA templates, causing thousands of SERS probes to be involved in each biomolecular recognition event. This SERS method achieved the detection of thrombin in the range from 1.0×10^?12 to 1.0×10^?8 M and a detection limit of 4.2×10^?13 M , and showed good performance in real serum samples.     

Highly Selective and Sensitive Copper(II) Membrane Sensors Based on 6‐Methyl‐4‐(1‐phenylmethylidene)amino‐3‐thioxo‐1,2,4‐triazin‐5‐one as a New Neutral Ionophore

A new Cu(II) ion‐selective PVC membrane sensor based on 6‐methyl‐4‐(1‐phenylmethylidene)amino‐3‐thioxo‐1,2,4‐triazin‐5‐one (MATTO) as an excellent sensing material was developed. The electrode exhibits a Nernstian slope of 29.2±0.4 mV per decade over a very wide concentration range between 1.0×10^?1 and 1.0×10^?6 M, with a detection limit of 4.8×10^?7 M (30.5 ng/mL). The sensor possesses the advantages of short conditioning time, fast response time (<10 s), and especially, very good selectivity towards transition and heavy metal, and some mono, di and trivalent cations. The proposed electrode was successfully applied to the determination of copper in wastewater of copper electroplating samples and as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of Cu(II) ions with EDTA.     

Determination of Nanomolar Concentrations of Pb(II) Using Carbon Paste Electrode Modified with Zirconium Phosphated Amorphous Silica

A sensitive and selective method for the determination of Pb(II) with a zirconium phosphated silica gel (SiZrPH) modified carbon paste electrode has been developed. The measurements were carried out in three steps including an open circuit accumulation following by electrolysis of accumulated Pb(II) at the modified carbon paste electrode and differential pulse voltammetric determination. The analytical performance was evaluated with respect to the carbon paste composition, pH of solution at the accumulation step, pH and concentration of supporting electrolyte, electrolysis potential, accumulation time and electrolysis time. Two linear calibration graphs were obtained in the concentration ranges 2.5×10^?9 mol L^?1–5.0×10^?8 mol L^?1 and 5.0×10^?8 mol L^?1–5.0×10^?6 mol L^?1 with an accumulation time of 120 s. The detection limit was found to be 3.5×10^?10 mol L^?1. The effects of potential interfering ions were studied, and it was found that the proposed procedure is free from interferences of common interfering ions such as tin, thallium and etc. The developed method was applied to Pb(II) determination in a wastewater sample.     

Highly Sensitive Electrochemiluminescence Detection of Mercury(II) Ions Based on DNA‐Linked Luminol‐Au NPs Superstructure

A novel highly sensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detection protocol for mercury(II) ions was developed. Based on the strong and stable thymine? thymine mismatches complexes coordination chemistry, mercury(II) ions can specifically bind to a designed DNA strand, leading to the release of the complimentary DNA strand. The released DNA strand was then captured by magnetic beads modified with specific DNA, and then through the formation of DNA‐linked luminol‐Au nanoparticles (NPs) superstructure, a specific ECL system for mercury(II) ions was developed. Using 3‐aminopropyl‐triethoxysilane as an effective enhancer, the ECL system can detect Hg²⁺ ion within a linear range from 2.0×10^?10 mol L^?1 to 2.0×10^?8 M, with a detection limit as low as 1.05×10^?10 M (3σ). Moreover, this ECL system is highly specific for Hg²⁺, without interference from other commonly coexisted metal ions, and it can be used for the analysis of real samples.     

Electrochemical Characterization of Gold 6‐Amino‐2‐mercaptobenzothiazole Self‐Assembled Monolayer for Dopamine Detection in Pharmaceutical Samples

A new sensor, gold‐6‐amino‐2‐mercaptobenzothiazole (6A2MBT), was fabricated via a self‐assembly procedure. Electrochemical properties of the monolayer were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The modified electrode showed excellent antifouling property against the oxidation products of DA, allowed us to construct a dynamic calibration curve with two linear parts, 1.00×10^?6 to 3.72×10^?4 and 3.72×10^?4 to 6.42×10^?4 M DA, with correlation coefficients of 0.997 and 0.992 and a detection limit of 1.57×10^?7 M DA by using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), respectively. Finally, the performance of the Au‐6A2MBT modified electrode was successfully tested for electrochemical detection of DA in a pharmaceutical sample.     

Enhanced Oxidation of Simvastatin at a Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes‐Dihexadecyl Hydrogen Phosphate Composite Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode and the Application in Determining Simvastatin in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms

A sensitive electrochemical method for the determination of simvastatin (SV) was established, based on the enhanced oxidation of SV at a multi‐walled carbon nanotubes‐dihexadecyl hydrogen phosphate composite modified glassy carbon electrode (MWNTs‐DHP/GCE). The voltammetric studies showed that MWNTs instead of DHP or GCE could effectively catalyze the oxidation of SV. The dependence of oxidation current on SV concentration was explored under optimal conditions, which exhibited a good linear relationship in the range of 1.0×10^?7–7.5×10^?6 M. The detection limit of SV was also examined and a low value of 5.0×10^?8 M was obtained for 5 min accumulation (σ=3). This electrode was applied to the detection of SV in drug forms and the results were in accordance with those obtained by UV spectroscopy.