Anodic Stripping Voltammetry of Heavy Metals on a Metal Catalyst Free Carbon Nanotube Electrode

Anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) determination of Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Zn²⁺ was done using metal catalyst free carbon nanotube (MCFCN) electrodes. Osteryoung square wave stripping voltammetry (OSWSV) was selected for detection. The MCFCNTs are synthesized via Carbo Thermal Carbide Conversion method which leads to residual transition metal free in the CNT structure. The new material shows very good results in detecting heavy metal ions, such as Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Zn²⁺. The calculated limits of detection were 13 nM, 32 nM and 50 nM for Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺, respectively with a deposition time of 150 s.     

Non-conductive nanomaterial enhanced electrochemical response in stripping voltammetry: The use of nanostructured magnesium silicate hollow spheres for heavy metal ions detection

Nanostructured magnesium silicate hollow spheres, one kind of non-conductive nanomaterials, were used in heavy metal ions (HMIs) detection with enhanced performance for the first time. The detailed study of the enhancing electrochemical response in stripping voltammetry for simultaneous detection of ultratrace Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ was described. Electrochemical properties of modified electrodes were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The operational parameters which have influence on the deposition and stripping of metal ions, such as supporting electrolytes, pH value, and deposition time were carefully studied. The anodic stripping voltammetric performance toward HMIs was evaluated using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) analysis. The detection limits achieved (0.186 nM, 0.247 nM, 0.169 nM and 0.375 nM for Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺) are much lower than the guideline values in drinking water given by the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition, the interference and stability of the modified electrode were also investigated under the optimized conditions. An interesting phenomenon of mutual interference between different metal ions was observed. Most importantly, the sensitivity of Pb²⁺ increased in the presence of certain concentrations of other metal ions, such as Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ both individually and simultaneously. The proposed electrochemical sensing method is thus expected to open new opportunities to broaden the use of SWASV in analysis for detecting HMIs in the environment.     

Electrodes with extremely high hydrogen overvoltages as substrate electrodes for stripping analysis based on bismuth-coated electrodes

Hydrogen evolution bothers stripping analysis significantly. Dioctyl phthalate-based carbon paste electrode exhibits extremely wide cathodic potential window. It is explored as a powerful substrate electrode to solve the problem of hydrogen evolution and further improve reproducibility for stripping analysis using bismuth-coated electrodes for the first time. It was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺. Linear responses are obtained for Zn²⁺ in the range of 10–100 μg L⁻¹ and for Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ in the range of 5–100 μg L⁻¹. The detection limits for Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ are 0.1 μg L⁻¹, 0.22 μg L⁻¹ and 0.44 μg L⁻¹, respectively. The method has been successfully applied to the determination of Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ in waste water samples. The detection strategy based on the combination of dioctyl phthalate-based carbon paste electrode and bismuth-coated electrodes holds great promise for stripping analysis.     

Detection of Trace Heavy Metal Ions Using Carbon Nanotube‐ Modified Electrodes

A sensitive voltammetric method for detection of trace heavy metal ions using chemically modified carbon nanotubes (CNTs) electrode surfaces is described. The CNTs were covalently modified with cysteine prior to casting on electrode surfaces. Cysteine is an amino acid with high affinities towards some heavy metals. In this assay, heavy metals ions accumulated on the cysteine‐modified CNT electrode surfaces prior to being subjected to differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry analysis. The resulting peak currents were linearly related to the concentrations of the metal ions. The method was optimized with respect to accumulation time, reduction time and reduction potential. The detection limits were found to be 1 ppb and 15 ppb for Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ respectively. The technique was used for the detection of Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ in spiked lake water. The average recoveries of Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ were 96.2% and 94.5% with relative standard deviations of 8.43% and 7.53% respectively. The potential for simultaneous detection of heavy metal ions by the modified CNTs was also demonstrated.     

Voltammetric Simultaneous Determination of Cu2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ in Full Aqueous Medium Using Organic Nanoparticles of Disulfide Based Receptor

Disulfide based receptor was prepared using single step condensation reaction and suspended into organic nanoparticles to extend its practical application in aqueous samples. The prepared nanoparticles were used for the simultaneous recognition of three different metallic species (Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺) in aqueous media through voltammetric studies. These metals can be determined simultaneously and without interferences from any of the other potential interferent metal ions, as different signals are displayed in cyclic as well as differential pulse voltammograms, with a detection limit of 193.0 nM for Cu²⁺, 52.0 nM for Cd²⁺ and 32.0 nM for Pb²⁺. The study was extended to real sample analysis by preparing the artificial mixtures of said metal ions.     

Carbon Nanotubes/Ionophore Modified Electrode for Anodic Stripping Determination of Lead

Bifunctional combination of carbon nanotubes and ionophore is introduced for anodic stripping analysis of lead (Pb²⁺). Carbon nanotubes are employed to improve the detection sensitivity due to their excellent electrical conductivity and strong adsorption ability. An ionophore is utilized for its excellent selectivity toward Pb²⁺. The proposed carbon nanotubes/ionophore modified electrode shows improved sensitivity and selectivity for Pb²⁺. Low detection limit (1 nM), wide linear range (5 nM–8 µM) and excellent selectivity over other metal ions (Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Hg²⁺) was obtained. The practical application has been carried out for determination of Pb²⁺ in real water samples.     

Electrochemical determination of cadmium and lead based on the joint enhancement effects of SBA-16 and iodide

Mesoporous SBA-16 was synthesized using tetraethoxysilane as silicon source and a ternary system consisting of surfactant F127, water and butanol. Owing to the excellent properties of SBA-16 such as lager surface area and strong accumulation ability, the stripping peak current of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ remarkably increases at the SBA-16 modified carbon paste electrode. Moreover, the peak current of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ further enhances after the addition of I^?. Under the joint enhancement effects of SBA-16 and I^?, the detection sensitivity of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ is greatly improved. The influences of concentration of I^?, amount of SBA-16, accumulation potential and time were investigated. As a result, a new electrochemical method with high sensitivity was developed for the simultaneous determination of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺. The limit of detection is 0.6 nM for Cd²⁺ and 1 nM for Pb²⁺. It was used to determine Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ in waste water sample, and the results consisted with the values that obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry.     

Silver nanoparticle loaded on activated carbon and activated carbon modified with 2-(4-isopropylbenzylideneamino)thiophenol (IPBATP) as new sorbents for trace metal ions enrichment

The efficiencies and performances of silver nanoparticle loaded activated carbon modified with 2-(4-isopropylbenzylideneamino)thiophenol (IPBATP-Ag-NP-AC) and activated carbon modified with IPBATP (IPBATP-AC), as new sorbents, were evaluated for separation and preconcentration of Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions from real environmental samples. The retained metals content was reversibly eluted using 5?mL of CH₃COOH (6.0?mol?L^?1) and/or 10?mL of 4.0?mol?L^?1 HNO₃ for IPBATP-Ag-NP-AC and IPBATP-AC, respectively. The experimental parameters influence the recoveries of metal ions including pH, amounts of ligand and supports, condition of eluents, sample and eluent flow rates of has been investigated. The preconcentration factors were found to be 100 for Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺ and 50 for Pb²⁺ ions using IPBATP-Ag-NP-AC, and 50 for Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺ and 25 for Pb²⁺ ions using IPBATP-AC. The detection limit of both SPE-based sorbents was between 1.6–2.5?ng?mL^?1 for IPBATP-AC and 1.3–2.5?ng?mL^?1 for IPBATP-Ag-NP-AC. The proposed methods have been successfully applied for the extraction and determination of the understudy metal ions content in some real samples with extraction efficiencies higher than 90% and relative standard deviations (RSD) lower than 2.4%.     

A voltammetric sensor for simultaneous determination of lead,cadmium and zinc on an activated carbon fiber rod

A simple, low cost and sensitive voltammetric sensor was developed for the simultaneous detection of Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Zn²⁺ based on a disposable carbon fiber rod (CFR). The important factors to enhance the sensing property were creation of a clean surface by dealing with CFR at a high potential and electrochemical deposition of Bi film to improve the accumulation of heavy metal ions.     

Calibrationless determination of cadmium, lead and copper in rain samples by stripping voltammetry at mercury microelectrodes: Effect of natural convection on the deposition step

Mercury microelectrodes were prepared by ex situ deposition of Hg onto Pt microdiscs. By exploiting the known properties of microelectrodes in stripping analysis, an absolute method based on a simple equation derived from the stripping charge and the microelectrode steady-state current was assessed for the simultaneous quantification of Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ concentrations. The method was tested with synthetic solutions containing known amounts of Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺. Then, it was used to determine the labile and total fractions of these metal ions in rain samples. The labile fractions were measured from samples at their natural pH while the total concentrations were determined from samples at pH=2.     

ABTS‐Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Nanocomposite/Bi Film Electrode for Sensitive Determination of Cd and Pb by Differential Pulse Stripping Voltammetry

A 2,2′‐azinobis (3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonate) diammonium salt (ABTS)‐multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposite/Bi film modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode was constructed for the differential pulse stripping voltammetric determination of trace Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺. This electrode was more sensitive than ABTS‐free Bi/GC and Bi/MWCNTs/GC electrodes. Linear responses were obtained in the range from 0.5 to 35 μg L^?1 for Cd²⁺ and 0.2 to 50 μg L^?1 Pb(II), with detection limits of 0.2 μg L^?1 for Cd²⁺ and 0.1 μg L^?1 for Pb²⁺, respectively. This sensor was applied to the simultaneous detection of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ in water samples with satisfactory recovery.     

Sonoelectroanalytical detection of lead at a bare copper electrode

The sonochemically facilitated, mercury free detection of Pb²⁺ at a copper electrode has been investigated as a means of simplifying the quantification of this important analyte and to minimise the interference of copper ion. The procedure relies upon maximising the formation of Pb-Cu intermetallic compounds leading to the emergence of a single, easily quantifiable stripping signal. Linear responses to Pb²⁺ were obtained with a sensitivity comparable to that obtained at a bare glassy carbon electrode. Interference from Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ was assessed on the copper electrode with no appreciable change in the Pb²⁺ voltammetric profile observed. In contrast, bare glassy carbon showed a significant change in Pb²⁺ voltammetric profile as Cu²⁺ was added, due to the formation of intermetallic species.     

Detection of Trace Zinc by an Electrochemical Microsensor based on Carbon Nanotube Threads

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted intense interest due to their excellent properties, such as increased electrode surface area, fast electron transfer rate, significant mechanical strength and good chemical stability. CNT threads, spun from shorter CNTs, inherit the advantages of CNTs, while avoiding the potential toxicity caused by individual CNTs. In this work, microelectrodes based on CNT threads were used to detect trace zinc by anodic stripping voltammetry with an estimated detection limit of 1.4 nM without mercury or bismuth films. CNT threads showed promise for measuring trace metals in small sample volumes without stirring such as encountered in some in vivo and in vitro applications.     

Fabrication and Characterization of Carbon Nanotube‐Hydroxyapatite Nanocomposite: Application to Anodic Stripping Voltammetric Determination of Cadmium

A novel chemically modified electrode for stripping determination of cadmium is presented in this paper, based on carbon nanotube‐hydroxyapatite (CNT‐HAP) nanocomposite, which can be prepared by an easy and effective one‐step sonication. The newly synthesized nanocomposite was characterized with FTIR, TEM, and electrochemical methods. Due to the combination of the strong absorption ability of HAP and excellent electroanalytical properties of CNTs, the GC/CNT‐HAP electrode has been successfully used for determination of Cd²⁺ by anodic stripping voltammetry with a linear range of 20 nM–3 μM. The sensitivity and detection limit are 25.6 μA/μM and 4 nM, respectively. The practical application of the proposed electrode has been carried out for the determination of trace levels of Cd²⁺ in real water samples.     

Simultaneous Determination of Cadmium,Lead, Copper and Mercury Ions Using Organofunctionalized SBA‐15 Nanostructured Silica Modified Graphite–Polyurethane Composite Electrode

A new sensor has been developed for the simultaneous detection of cadmium, lead, copper and mercury, using differential pulse and square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV and SWASV) at a graphite–polyurethane composite electrode with SBA‐15 silica organofunctionalized with 2‐benzothiazolethiol as bulk modifier. The heavy metal ions were preconcentrated on the surface of the modified electrode at ?1.1 V vs. SCE where they complex with 2‐benzothiazolethiol and are reduced to the metals, and are then reoxidized. Optimum SWASV conditions lead to nanomolar detection limits and simultaneous determination of Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ in natural waters was achieved.     

Fluorescence sensing of Cu within a pseudo 18-crown-6 cavity

We report herein a pseudo-crown based fluorescent receptor (1) for the selective detection of Cu²⁺ cation. Receptor 1 can detect Cu²⁺ even in 5 μM level in acetonitrile-water (9:1 v/v). Compound 1 is very effective for the detection of Cu²⁺ amongst the series of metal ions studied (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ba²⁺, Pb²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Mn²⁺).     

Nanostructure Restoration of Thermally Reduced Graphene Oxide Electrode upon Incorporation of Nafion for Detection of Trace Heavy Metals in Aqueous Solution

High performance reduced graphene oxide (RGO)‐Nafion (N) thin film electrodes coated on silicon (Si) substrates (RGO‐N/Si) were successfully developed through thermal reduction of GO‐N without delamination from the substrates. The restoration of the RGO‐N nanostructure upon the addition of Nafion was proven by Raman spectroscopy (RS) and field emission scanning electron microscopy, and the restoration mechanism of the RGO‐N nanostructure was proposed. Through the investigation using x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), the polyfluorocarbon from Nafion possessed a function that could prevent the delamination of the RGO sheets from the substrates during the thermal reduction. The RGO‐N/Si samples were later used for the determination of trace heavy metals, such as divalent lead, cadmium and copper ions (Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Cu²⁺, respectively) using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry in a 0.1 M acetate buffer solution (pH 5). Based on the electroanalytical measurements, the RGO‐N/Si samples exhibited a highly linear behavior in the detection of Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ over the concentration range of 50 nM to 300 nM with detection limits at nM levels. In addition, the RGO‐N/Si samples presented good recoveries of target metals in tap water samples.     

Zinc oxide nanostructured platform for electrochemical detection of heavy metals

ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NP) were prepared by a facile precipitation technique using di-isopropyl amine as precipitating agent. The morpho-structure and porosity of the as-prepared nano-powder were investigated by FT-IR analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and BET analysis. By drop-casting, a composite film was deposited to obtain ZnO-NP-Nafion/GCE modified electrode. The modified electrode was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) for the detection of Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Fe³⁺, and it was successfully applied for the detection of Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ in real water samples.     

Electrochemical Determination of Cd2+ and Pb2+ Using NSAID‐mefenamic Acid Functionalized Mesoporous Carbon Microspheres Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

This paper describes the electrochemical behaviors of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ on the proposed mesoporous carbon microspheres/mefenamic acid/nafion modified glassy carbon electrode (MC/MA/Nafion/GC) studied by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). The prepared material is characterized by XRD, SEM, FTIR, RAMAN and BET analysis. Experimental parameters, such as the deposition potential and time, the pH value of buffer solution were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the electrode responded linearly to Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ in the concentration range from 50 to 300 nM, and the detection limits were 24.2 and 11.26 nM respectively. The sensitivity determined was 0.0623 μA/nM (Cd²⁺) and 0.192 μA/nM (Pb²⁺). Multiple metal ion detection with clear demarcation of peaks was produced by the electrode. Moreover, the modified electrode has possessed good selectivity and reproducibility of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ detection. We also investigated the interference of various anions and surfactants for the detection of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions. Finally the modified electrode was used to detect the presence of metal ions in practical samples and the results obtained are comparatively good with respect to AAS.     

Microcell for anodic stripping voltammetry of trace metals

A microcell for batch injection stripping voltammetry of trace metals with the use of a rotating disk working electrode has been developed and tested for samples of 0.2–0.3 mL. The detection limits for Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ are 0.03 ppb and 0.3 for a deposition time of 5.0 and 0.5 min, respectively.