A Non‐Enzymatic Hydrogen Peroxide Sensor Based on Gold Nanoparticles/Carbon Nanotube/Self‐Doped Polyaniline Hollow Spheres

In this study, a novel non‐enzymatic hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) sensor was fabricated based on gold nanoparticles/carbon nanotube/self‐doped polyaniline (AuNPs/CNTs/SPAN) hollow spheres modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). SPAN was in‐site polymerized on the surface of SiO₂ template, then AuNPs and CNTs were decorated by electrostatic absorption via poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride). After the SiO₂ cores were removed, hollow AuNPs/CNTs/SPAN spheres were obtained and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The electrochemical catalytic performance of the hollow AuNPs/CNTs/SPAN/GCE for H₂O₂ detection was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry. Using chronoamperometric method at a constant potential of ?0.1 V (vs. SCE), the H₂O₂ sensor displays two linear ranges: one from 5 µM to 0.225 mM with a sensitivity of 499.82 µA mM^?1 cm^?2; another from 0.225 mM to 8.825 mM with a sensitivity of 152.29 µA mM^?1 cm^?2. The detection limit was estimated as 0.4 µM (signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3). The hollow AuNPs/CNTs/SPAN/GCE also demonstrated excellent stability and selectivity against interferences from other electroactive species. The sensor was further applied to determine H₂O₂ in disinfectant real samples.     

Stripping Analysis of Trace Arsenic Based on the MnOx/AuNPs Composite Film Modified Electrode in Alkaline Media

A simple, rapid fabricated and sensitive modified electrode for detection of As(III) in alkaline media was proposed. The modified electrode was prepared by co‐electrodeposition of manganese oxides (MnO_x) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with cyclic voltammetry. Linear sweep anodic stripping voltammetry (LS‐ASV) was employed for the determination of arsenic (III) without interference from Cu(II), Hg(II), and other coexisting metal ions. A lower detection limit of 0.057 µg L^?1 (S/N=3) were obtained with a accumulation time of 200 s. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine arsenic (III) in real water samples with satisfactory recoveries.     

A Combination Bismuth Bulk Electrode and Its Use in Adsorptive Constant‐Current Stripping Chronopotentiometry for Iron Using Solochrome Violet RS

A new combination bismuth bulk electrode allowing potentiostatic control to be maintained in a suspended sample drop is described. The electrode was tested by adsorptive constant‐current stripping chronopotentiometry for iron(III) using Solochrome Violet RS. Optimum conditions were similar to those established with mercury‐based electrodes. With an electropolishing scheme, a reproducibility better than 2 % (n=54) was attainable. The limit of detection was 0.6 µg L^?1 in deoxygenated samples. A partial least squares calibration gave a result of 972±78 µg L^?1 (95 %, n=5) for a 1000±5 µg L^?1 iron reference solution.     

Electrochemical Behavior of Gold Nanoparticles Generated In Situ on 3‐(1‐Imidazolyl)propyl‐silsesquioxane

Gold nanoparticles of different morphologies have been synthesized on a silica‐based organic‐inorganic hybrid material for catalytic applications. The gold nanoparticles formations proceed through in situ chemical reduction of the AuCl₄^? anions previously adsorbed on 3‐(1‐imidazolyl)propyl‐silsesquioxane, which plays the role of substrate and stabilizer. Two distinct reducing agents, sodium citrate and sodium borohydride, were employed to generate gold nanoparticles of different sizes. UV‐vis diffuse reflectance as well as transmission electron microscopy were employed to evaluate the particle’s morphology. Modified carbon paste electrodes were prepared from these materials and their electrochemical behavior investigated using potassium ferrocyanide and 4‐nitrophenol as redox model compounds. Both AuNPs‐modified electrodes decreased the overpotential of 4‐nitrophenol reduction by around 90 mV compared to the unmodified electrode as evidenced by cyclic voltammetry experiment. However, the smaller diameter particles (borohydride‐reduced) produced more significant catalytic effect as a consequence of their large surface area. Regarding the sensing parameters, the sensitivity is higher for the borohydride‐reduced AuNPs while the values of limit of detection are of the same order of magnitude. Thus, the detection limit and sensitivity are 70.0±0.6 nM and 187 µA/mM for the citrate‐reduced AuNPs; and 75.0±2.2 nM and 238 µA/mM for the borohydride‐reduced AuNPs.     

An Asymetric Lutetium(III) Microsensor Based on N‐(2‐Furylmethylene) Pyridine‐2,6‐Diamine for Determination of Lutetium(III) Ions

Abstract

In this work, for the first time, we introduce a highly selective and sensitive lutetium(III) micro‐sensor. N‐(2‐furylmethylene) pyridine‐2,6‐diamine (FPD) was used as a membrane‐active component to prepare a highly sensitive Lu(III)‐selective polymeric membrane microelectrode. Theoretical calculations for FPD, lutetium and some other metal ions were carried out and selectivity toward Lu(III) ions was confirmed. The best performance was achieved by a membrane composed of 32% PVC, 60% o‐nitrophenyloctyl ether, 4% potassium tetrakis (p‐chlorophenyl) borate (KTpClPB) and 4% FPD. The electrode exhibits a Nernstian response for Lu(III) ions over a particular concentration range (1.0×l0^?11?1.0×10^?6 mol l^?1) with a slope of 20.5±0.2 mV decade^?1. The detection limit is 3.0×10^?11 mol l^?1 while the sensor presents a response time of <10 s and a useful working pH range of 4.0–10.5. As a matter of fact, the proposed sensor discriminates relatively well for Lu(III) ions in compare to common alkali, alkaline earth, heavy metals and, specially, lanthanide ions. The sensor was successfully applied as an indicator electrode in a potentiometric titration of Lu(III) ions with EDTA. In addition, it was used for determination of lutetium in some soil samples where domestic devices were stored. The proposed sensor was evaluated for Lu(III) ions determination in some binary mixtures.     

PPb Level Monitoring of Dy(III) Ions by a Highly Sensitive and Selective Dy(III) Sensor Based on a New Asymmetrical Schiff's Base

Abstract

A Dy(III) ion‐selective membrane sensor has been fabricated from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) matrix membrane containing a new asymmetrical Schiff's base [(E)‐N‐(2‐hydroxybenzylidene)benzohydraide] or BBH as a neutral carrier, sodium tetraphenyl borate (NaTPB) as an anionic excluder and nitrobenzene (NB) as a plasticizing solvent mediator. The membrane sensor displays linear potential response in the concentration range of 1.0×10^?2–1.0×10^?6 M of Dy(III). The electrode exhibits a nice Nernstian slope of 20.1±0.8 mV/decade in the pH range of 3.0–8.0. The sensor has a relatively short response time in whole concentration ranges (<20 s). The detection limit of the proposed sensor is 8.0×10^?7 M (～128 ng/mL), and it can be used over a period of six weeks. The selectivity of the proposed sensor with respect to other cations, (alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions) and especially lanthanid ions, is excellent. The practical utility of the sensor has been demonstrated by using it as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of Dy(III) with EDTA.     

A Novel Molecularly Imprinted Photoelectrochemical Sensor Based on g‐C3N4‐AuNPs for the Highly Sensitive and Selective Detection of Triclosan

A novel molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) photoelectrochemical sensor was fabricated for the highly sensitive and selective detection of triclosan. The MIP photoelectrochemical sensor was fabricated using graphite‐like carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as photoelectric materials. The MIP/g‐C₃N₄‐AuNPs sensor used photocurrent as the detection signal and was triggered by ultraviolet light (UV‐Light 365 nm). g‐C₃N₄‐AuNPs was immobilized on indium tin oxide electrodes to produce the photoelectrochemically responsive electrode of the MIP/g‐C₃N₄‐AuNPs sensor. A MIP layer of poly‐o‐phenylenediamine was electropolymerized on the g‐C₃N₄‐AuNPs‐modified electrode to act as the recognition element of the MIP/g‐C₃N₄‐AuNPs sensor and to enable the selective adsorption of triclosan to the sensor through specific binding. Under optimal experimental conditions, the designed MIP/g‐C₃N₄‐AuNPs sensor presented high sensitivity for triclosan with a linear range of 2×10⁻¹² to 8×10⁻¹⁰ M and a limit of detection of 6.01×10⁻¹³ M. Moreover, the MIP/g‐C₃N₄‐AuNPs sensor showed excellent selectivity. The sensor had been successfully applied in the analysis of toothpaste samples.     

Voltammetric Determination of 4‐Nitrophenol and 5‐Nitrobenzimidazole Using Different Types of Silver Solid Amalgam Electrodes – A Comparative Study

The voltammetric behavior of two genotoxic nitro compounds (4‐nitrophenol and 5‐nitrobenzimidazole) has been investigated using direct current voltammetry (DCV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) at a polished silver solid amalgam electrode (p‐AgSAE), a mercury meniscus modified silver solid amalgam electrode (m‐AgSAE), and a mercury film modified silver solid amalgam electrode (MF‐AgSAE). The optimum conditions have been evaluated for their determination in Britton‐Robinson buffer solutions. The limit of quantification (L_Q) for 5‐nitrobenzimidazole at p‐AgSAE was 0.77 µmol L^?1 (DCV) and 0.47 µmol L^?1 (DPV), at m‐AgSAE it was 0.32 µmol L^?1 (DCV) and 0.16 µmol L^?1 (DPV), and at MF‐AgSAE it was 0.97 µmol L^?1 (DCV) and 0.70 µmol L^?1 (DPV). For 4‐nitrophenol at p‐AgSAE, L_Q was 0.37 µmol L^?1 (DCV) and 0.32 µmol L^?1 (DPV), at m‐AgSAE it was 0.14 µmol L^?1 (DCV) and 0.1 µmol L^?1 (DPV), and at MF‐AgSAE, it was 0.87 µmol L^?1 (DCV) and 0.37 µmol L^?1 (DPV). Thorough comparative studies have shown that m‐AgSAE is the best sensor for voltammetric determination of the two model genotoxic compounds because it gives the lowest L_Q, is easier to prepare, and its surface can be easily renewed both chemically (by new amalgamation) and/or electrochemically (by imposition of cleaning pulses). The practical applicability of the newly developed methods was verified on model samples of drinking water.     

Application of Novel Praseodymium (III) PVC‐Membrane Electrode for Determination of Pr(III) Ions in Soil and Sediment Samples

Abstract

A novel Pr(III) ion‐selective polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membrane sensor, based on N,N‐bis(α‐methylsalicylidene)diethylenetriamine (BMT) as a new ionophore, has been prepared and studied. The electrode showed good selectivity for Pr(III) ion with respect to most common cations, including alkali, alkaline earth, transition, and heavy metal ions. This electrode has a wide linear dynamic range from 1.0×10^?6 to 1.0×10^?2 M with a Nernstian slope of 19.8±0.2 mV per decade and a low detection limit of 6.5×10^?7 M, in the pH range of 3.0–8.4, while response time was rapid (<15 s). As far as applications of the recommended sensor are concerned, first it was employed as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of Pr(III) ions with EDTA. Second, it was effectively applied to the determination of concentration of Pr(III) ions in soil and sediment samples, and validation with CRMs.     

Investigation of electrochemical hydride generation coupled to microwave plasma torch optical emission spectrometry for the determination of arsenic: analytical figures of merit,interference studies and applications to environmentally relevant samples

A continuous flow thin layer electrolysis cell with a Pt cathode in combination with a microwave plasma torch operated with Ar as working gas was used for the optical emission spectrometric determination of As with the hydride technique. Under the optimised conditions the limit of detection (3σ) in the case of the As(I) 228.81 nm emission line was 81 ng mL^?1. Especially the influence of the transition metals Cu(II), Fe(III) and Ni(II), of the hydride forming elements Sb(III), Se(IV) and Sn(II) and of Na on the determination of As was studied. Cu(II) was found to be the strongest interferent, as in the presence of 100 µg mL^?1 of Cu(II) the signal for 3 µg mL^?1 of As was reduced to 4% of the signal without interferent. Sn(II) and Sb(III) were found to yield an increase of the signal for As. L-cysteine and KI/ascorbic acid (1 : 1) at a concentration of 2% were found effective to reduce the interferences of Cu(II), Fe(III) and Ni(II). For a solution containing 3 µg mL^?1 of As and 100 µg mL^?1 of Ni(II) it was shown that in the presence of L-cysteine or KI/ascorbic acid the signal for As was 99% and 94% of the one without interferent, whereas it was only 43% without masking reagents. The procedure could be used for the determination of As in a digested coal fly ash standard reference material (NIST SRM 1633a®) with a certified value of 145 ± 15 µg g^?1 for As. A concentration of 131 ± 15 µg g^?1 was found. Additionally, As could be determined in two process water samples from a copper refinery. It was found that the amount of As determined with ECHG-MPT-OES agrees well with the values determined by FAAS and ICP-OES at the 0.02 and 1.6 g L^?1 level, respectively.     

Reduced Graphene Oxide/Carbon Nanotube/Gold Nanoparticles Nanocomposite Functionalized Screen‐Printed Electrode for Sensitive Electrochemical Detection of Endocrine Disruptor Bisphenol A

We fabricated a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for the determination of bisphenol A (BPA) in aqueous solution by using reduced graphene oxide (RGO), carbon nanotubes (CNT), and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)‐modified screen‐printed electrode (SPE). GO/CNT nanocomposite was directly reduced to RGO/CNT on SPE at room temperature. AuNPs were then electrochemically deposited in situ on RGO/CNT‐modified SPE. Under optimized conditions, differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) produced linear current responses for BPA concentrations of 1.45 to 20 and 20 to 1,490 nM, with a calculated detection limit of an ultralow 800 pM. The sensor response was unaffected by the presence of interferents such as phenol, p‐nitrophenol, pyrocatechol, 2,4‐dinitrophenol, and hydroquinone.     

Electrochemical Detection of Persulfate at the Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode with Nanocomposite Containing Nano‐Ruthenium Oxide/Thionine and Nano‐Ruthenium Oxide/Celestine Blue

The present study describes the fabrication of a sensitive amperometric sensor for the determination of persulfate. The immobilization surface was prepared by modifying a glassy carbon (GC) electrode with a nanocomposite containing ruthenium oxide (RuOx) nanoparticles and thionine (TH) or celestin blue (CB). The modified electrodes indicated excellent electrocatalytic activity toward persulfate reduction at a potential of +0.1 V. The proposed sensor showed detection limits of 1.46 µM for the GC/RuOx/TH modified electrode and 2.64 µM for the GC/RuOx/CB modified electrode. The sensitivities were obtained as 3 nA µM^?1 at a concentration range of 10 µM to 11 mM for the GC/RuOx/TH modified electrode and 1 nA µM^?1 at a concentration range of 10 µM to 6 mM for the GC/RuOx/CB modified electrodes.     

Construction of a Highly Selective and Sensitive La(III) Sensor Based on N‐(2‐Pyridyl)‐N′‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐thiourea for Nano Level Monitoring of La(III) Ions

N‐(2‐Pyridyl)‐N′‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐thiourea (PMPT) was found to be a suitable neutral ion carrier for the construction of a highly selective and sensitive La(III) membrane sensor. Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) based membranes of PMPT with potassium tetrakis (p‐chlorophenyl) borate (KTpClPB) as an anionic excluder and oleic acid (OA), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl acetate (BA) and o‐nitrophenyloctyl ether (NPOE) as plasticizing solvent mediators were constructed and investigated as La(III) membrane sensors. A membrane composed of PMPT‐PVC‐KTpClPB‐BA with the ratio 8.0 : 35.0 : 3.0 : 54.0 works well over a very wide concentration range (4.0×10^?8 to 1.0×10^?1 M) with a Nernstian slope of 19.6±0.2 mV per decade of activity between pH values of 4.0 and 9.0. The detection limit of the sensor was calculated to be 2.0×10^?8 M (ca. 3.0 ppb). The sensor displays very good discrimination toward La(III) ions with regard to most common metal ions and lanthanide ions. The proposed sensor shows a short response time for whole concentration range (ca. 12 s). For evaluation of the analytical applicability of the La(III) sensor, it was successfully used as an indicator electrode for the titration of La(III) ions with EDTA. It was also applied to the determination of fluoride content of two mouth wash preparation samples and monitoring of La(III) ions in some binary and ternary mixtures.     

Determination of Antimony(III) by Differential Pulse Voltammetry Using a Gold Nanoparticle–Ionic Liquid–Graphene-Modified Selenium-Doped Carbon Paste Electrode

A simple and sensitive differential pulse stripping voltammetric method was developed for the determination of antimony(III) using a selenium-doped carbon paste electrode modified with an ionic liquid, graphene, and gold nanoparticles. The conditions, including the mass of graphene, concentration of hydrochloric acid, deposition potential, and deposition time were optimized by single-factor experiments. Under the optimal conditions, a linear equation of I_Sb(III) (µA)?=??16.9882???11.0929 c (µmol/L) (R?=?0.9965) and a detection limit of 2.7?×?10^?8?mol/L were obtained for 8.0?×?10^?8 to 4.8?×?10^?6?mol/L antimony(III). The response shows that the sensor enhances the sensitivity of antimony due to the high conductivity and large surface areas of the ionic liquid, graphene, and gold nanoparticles. This electrode may provide a new sensing platform for the determination of antimony.     

Electrochemical Detection of Nitrite in Meat and Water Samples Using a Mesoporous Carbon Ceramic SiO2/C Electrode Modified with In Situ Generated Manganese(II) Phthalocyanine

Mesoporous carbon ceramic SiO₂/50 wt % C (S_BET=170 m² g^?1), where C is graphite, were prepared by the sol‐gel method. The materials were characterized using N₂ sorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy, and conductivity measurements. The matrix was used as support for the in situ immobilization of Mn(II) phthalocyanine (MnPc) on their surface. XPS was used to determine the Mn/Si atomic ratios of the MnPc‐modified materials. Pressed disk electrodes were prepared with the MnPc‐modified matrix, and tested as an electrochemical sensor for nitrite oxidation. The linear response range, sensitivity, detection limit and quantification limit were 0.79–15.74 µmol L^?1, 17.31 µA L µmol^?1, 0.02 µmol L^?1 and 0.79 µmol L^?1, respectively, obtained using cyclic voltammetry. The repeatability of the proposed sensor, evaluated in terms of relative standard deviation was 1.7 % for 10 measurements of a solution of 12.63 µmol L^?1 nitrite. The sensor employed to determine nitrite in sausage meat, river and lake water samples showed to be a promising tool for this purpose.     

High performance electrochemical sensor based on modified screen-printed electrodes with cost-effective dispersion of nanostructured carbon black

A novel sensor based on a screen-printed electrode (SPE) modified with a stable dispersion of commercially available carbon black (CB) N220 was developed. This probe showed significantly enhanced electrochemical activity relative to a bare SPE when tested with ferricyanide, epinephrine, norepinephrine, benzoquinone and NADH. When challenged in amperometric batch mode with NADH, the response was stable and revealed a linear dependence up to 2·10^?4 mol L^?1 with a detection limit of 3·10^?7 mol L^?1. The analytical performance, coupled with the low cost of the CB nanomaterial, suggests that this sensor holds promise for electrochemical applications.     

Chromium(III) Potentiometric Sensor Based on Para‐Tertiary‐Butyl Calix[4]arene

A new chromium(III) PVC membrane sensor incorporating p‐tertiary‐butyl calix[4]arene as ionophore, potassium tetrakis as additive and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) as plasticizer was constructed. The electrode exhibited an excellent potentiometric response over a wide concentration range of 1.0×10^?7–1.0×10^?1 M with a Nernstian slope of 20±0.5 mV per decade. The detection limit was 5.0×10^?8 M. The electrode showed a better performance over a pH range of 3.0–8.0, and had a short response time of about <15 s.The electrode was successfully applied to potentiometric titration of Cr (III) with EDTA and for direct determination of chromium(III) in waste water.     

Gold microelectrode ensembles: cheap,reusable and stable electrodes for the determination of arsenic (V) under aerobic conditions

The determination of total arsenic through As(V) anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) is, in some cases, preferable over As(III) ASV. The As(V) ASV procedure has no chemical reduction step from As(V) into As(III), which results in decreased analysis time and no contamination from reducting reagents. A simple and reliable procedure of As(V) determination is proposed. Anodic stripping determination of trace As(V) at gold microelectrode ensembles in diluted HCl solution in the presence of dissolved oxygen is shown. The electrode is based on a carbon black (30%)–polyethylene composite. The sensor was prepared by gold electrodeposition on the surface of the composite electrode. The given sensor is cheap, reliable and stable, especially when electrochemical activation is employed. The experimental parameters for the electrochemical determination were optimized, namely 0.005?M HCl as the background electrolyte, the deposition potential ?2.2?V (versus Ag/AgCl in 1?M KCl) and 180?mV?s^?1 linear scan rate. Calibration curves were obtained and were linear in [As(V)] over the 1.5–45?µg?L^?1 range, with a LOD of 0.5?µg?L^?1. The effect of common interfering species is studied. The electrochemical behaviour of As(III) form is studied in the same experimental conditions. It was found that As(III) is deposited at lower potentials (starting at ?0.6?V) and the sensitivity of As(III) detection is higher, but dependant on the presence of dissolved oxygen. The speciation of inorganic forms of arsenic is discussed.     

A Novel Holmium(III) Membrane Sensor Based on N‐(1‐Thien‐2‐Ylmethylene)‐1,3‐Benzothiazol‐2‐Amine

Abstract

A novel plasticized membrane sensor for Ho(III) ions based on N‐(1‐thien‐2‐ylmethylene)‐1,3‐benzothiazol‐2‐amine (TBA) as a neutral carrier was prepared. The best performance was obtained with a membrane composition of 31% PVC, 61% benzyle acetate, 2% sodium tetra phenyl borate and 6% carrier. The electrode exhibits a Nernstian response for Ho(III) ions over a particular concentration range (1.0×10^?5?1.0×10^?2 M) with a slope of 19.7±0.2 mV decade^?1. The limit of the detection is 7.0×10^?6 M. The sensor has a response time of <15 s and a useful working pH range of 4.0–9.5. The proposed sensor discriminates relatively well towards Ho(III) ions with regard to common alkali, alkaline earth, and specially lanthanide ions. It was successfully applied as an indicator electrode in a potentiometric titration of Ho(III) ions with EDTA. It was also applied in determination of fluoride ions in a mouth wash preparation. The proposed sensor was applied for the determination of Ho(III) ion concentration in binary mixtures.     

Novel Dy(III) Sensor Based on a New Bis‐Pyrrolidene Schiff's Base

In this work a dysprosium [Dy(III)]‐selective solvent polymeric membrane sensor based on N,N‐bis(pyrrolidene) benzne‐1,2‐diamine, poly(vinyl chloride)(PVC), the plasticizer benzylacetate (BA), and anionic site is described. This sensor responds to Dy(III) activity in a linear range from 1.0×10^?5 to 1.0×10^?1 M, with a slope of 20.6±0.2 mV per decade and a detection limit of 6.0×10^?6 M at the pH range of 3.5–8.0. It has a fast response time of<20 s in the entire concentration range, and can be used for at least 2 months without any considerable divergence in the electrode potentials. The proposed sensor revealed comparatively good selectivity with respect to common alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. It was used as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of fluoride ions and in determination of concentration of F ^– ions in some mouth washing solutions.