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.     

A Self‐assembled L‐Cysteine and Electrodeposited Gold Nanoparticles‐reduced Graphene Oxide Modified Electrode for Adsorptive Stripping Determination of Copper

Glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with L‐cysteine and gold nanoparticles‐reduced graphene oxide (AuNPs‐RGO) composite was fabricated as a novel electrochemical sensor for the determination of Cu²⁺. The AuNPs‐RGO composite was formed on GCE surface by electrodeposition. The L‐cysteine was decorated on AuNPs by self‐assembly. Physicochemical and electrochemical properties of L‐cysteine/AuNPs‐RGO/GCE were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry and adsorptive stripping voltammetry. The results validated that the prepared electrode had many attractive features, such as large electroactive area, good electrical conductivity and high sensitivity. Experimental conditions, including electrodeposition cycle, self‐assembly time, electrolyte pH and preconcentration time were studied and optimized. Stripping signals obtained from L‐cysteine/AuNPs‐RGO/GCE exhibited good linear relationship with Cu²⁺ concentrations in the range from 2 to 60 μg L⁻¹, with a detection limit of 0.037 μg L⁻¹. Finally, the prepared electrode was applied for the determination of Cu²⁺ in soil samples, and the results were in agreement with those obtained by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.     

Ordered Mesoporous Carbon and Thiolated Polyaniline Modified Electrode for Simultaneous Determination of Cadmium(II) and Lead(II) by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry

The fabrication and evaluation of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC), 2‐mercaptoethanesulfonate (MES)‐tethered polyaniline (PANI) and bismuth for simultaneous determination of trace Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) are presented here. The morphology and electrochemical properties of the fabricated electrode were respectively characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Experimental parameters such as PANI disposition, preconcentration potential, preconcentration time and bismuth concentration were optimized. Under optimum conditions, the fabricated electrode exhibited linear calibration curves ranged from 1 to 120 nM for Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺. The limits of detection (LOD) were 0.26 nM for Cd²⁺ and 0.16 nM for Pb²⁺ (S/N=3), respectively. Additionally, repeatability, reproducibility, interference and application were also investigated, and the proposed electrode exhibited excellent performance. The proposed method could be extended for the development of other new sensors for heavy metal determination.     

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.     

An Electrochemical Robotic System for Routine Cathodic Adsorptive Stripping Analysis of Ni2+ Ion Release from Corroding NiTi Shape Memory Alloys

Cathodic adsorptive stripping voltammetry (AdSV) as highly sensitive and selective method for quantifying trace amounts of dissolved Ni²⁺‐ions has been integrated into an electrochemical robotic device using the wells of microtiter plates as low‐volume electrochemical cells. A three‐electrode assembly integrating a Bismuth film‐modified glassy carbon electrode as working electrode and a glass capillary for delivering Ni²⁺ standard solution in conjunction with an adapted software allowed multiple AdSV measuring cycles to be performed one after the other in the individual compartments of a 24‐well microtiter plate. Of advantage for the automation was the possibility of an in‐well electrochemical removal of used and a replating of fresh Bi films in between distinct measuring cycles. With optimized parameters for the accumulation of the complex between Ni²⁺‐ions and dimethylglyoxime onto the surface of the Bi film electrode and the subsequent stripping procedure, automated adsorptive stripping voltammetry in the established system offered a linear dynamic range of up to 170 nM, a sensitivity of 12 nA/nM Ni²⁺ and a limit of of detection of 2.1 nM (N=16) for the detection of trace levels of Ni²⁺‐ions. Automated AdSV certainly is of convenience for studying larger number of samples due to the high‐throughput capability of the robotic apparatus. As example, the automatic quantification of Ni²⁺‐ion release from electropolished surfaces of NiTi shape memory alloys during corrosion in NaCl solutions is described.     

Electrochemical Determination and in silico Studies of Fludarabine on NH2 Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

A sensitive voltammetric technique has been developed for the determination of Fludarabine using amine‐functionalized multi walled carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode (NH₂‐MWCNTs/GCE). Molecular dynamics simulations, an in silico technique, were employed to examine the properties including chemical differences of Fludarabine‐ functionalized MWCNT complexes. The redox behavior of Fludarabine was examined by cyclic, differential pulse and square wave voltammetry in a wide pH range. Cyclic voltammetric investigations emphasized that Fludarabine is irreversibly oxidized at the NH₂‐MWCNTs/GCE. The electrochemical behavior of Fludarabine was also studied by cyclic voltammetry to evaluate both the kinetic (k_s and E_a) and thermodynamic (ΔH, ΔG and ΔS) parameters on NH₂‐MWCNTs/GCE at several temperatures. The mixed diffusion‐adsorption controlled electrochemical oxidation of Fludarabine revealed by studies at different scan rates. The experimental parameters, such as pulse amplitude, frequency, deposition potential optimized for square‐wave voltammetry. Under optimum conditions in phosphate buffer (pH 2.0), a linear calibration curve was obtained in the range of 2×10^?7 M–4×10^?6 M solution using adsorptive stripping square wave voltammetry. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were calculated 2.9×10^?8 M and 9.68×10^?8 M, respectively. The developed method was applied to the simple and rapid determination of Fludarabine from pharmaceutical formulations.     

Voltammetric Determination of Phenoxybenzyl‐Type Insecticides at Chemically Modified Conducting Polymer‐Carbon Nanotubes Coated Electrodes

The electrochemical reduction of three common insecticides such as cypermethrin (CYP), deltamethrin (DEL) and fenvalerate (FEN) was investigated at glassy carbon electrode (GCE), multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified GCE (MWCNT‐GCE), polyaniline (herein called as modifier M₁) and polypyrrole (herein called as modifier M₂) deposited MWCNT/GCE using cyclic voltammetry. Influences of pH, scan rate, and concentration were studied. The surface morphology of the modified film was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray diffraction analysis (XRD). A systematic study of the experimental parameters that affect differential pulse stripping voltammetry (DPSV) was carried out and the optimized experimental conditions were arrived at. The calibration plots were linear over the insecticide's concentration range 0.1–100 mg L^?1 and 0.05–100 mg L^?1 for all the three insecticides at MWCNT‐GCE and MWCNT(M₁)‐GCE respectively. The MWCNT(M₂)‐GCE performed well among the three electrode systems and the determination range obtained was 0.01–100 mg L^?1 for CYP, DEL and FEN. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.35 μg L^?1, 0.9 μg L^?1 and 0.1 μg L^?1 for CYP, DEL and FEN respectively on MWCNT(M₂)‐GCE modified system. Suitability of this method for the trace determination of insecticide in spiked soil sample was also determined.     

Simultaneous Detection of Heavy Metals by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry Using Carbon Nanotube Thread

Carbon nanotube (CNT) threads are a type of CNT arrays that consist of super long CNTs. CNT threads inherit the advantages of CNTs, while avoiding the potential toxicity caused by individual CNTs. Electrodes based on CNT threads were fabricated and used for simultaneous detection of trace levels of Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV). The detection limits are 0.27 nM, 1.5 nM, 1.9 nM and 1.4 nM for Cu^2+, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺, respectively, in 0.1 M acetate buffer pH 4.5. The CNT thread electrode gives well‐defined, reproducible and sharp stripping signals for individual and simultaneous detection of heavy metals.     

Underpotential Deposition and Stripping of Lead at Disorganized Monolayer‐Modified Gold Electrodes

Underpotential deposition (UPD) and stripping of Pb²⁺ at thiol‐based disorganized monolayer‐modified gold electrodes was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical quartz crystal microgravimetry (EQCM). Electrodes modified with mercaptoacetic acid or mercaptoethane sulfonic acid were studied. Due to the proximity of the potentials for the Pb UPD and thiol reductive desorption, achievement of a UPD‐stripping voltammetry methodology for determination of low concentrations of Pb²⁺ was not successful. However by comparison of the CV and EQCM data and consideration of the possible mass changes per mole electrons transferred in light of the other species present in solution, possible mechanisms are put forward for the deposition and stripping of Pb²⁺ at thiol‐modified electrodes.     

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.     

CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticle-modified electrode as a novel electrochemical interface in the quantification of Zn<Superscript>2+ </Superscript>ions at trace level: application to real sample analysis

A simple strategy has been proposed to quantify Zn²⁺ ions using CeO₂ nanoparticle-modified glassy carbon electrode. The CeO₂ nanoparticles were prepared by sucrose-nitrate decomposition method, and it was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), FT-IR, TEM, and surface area analyzer. The synthesized CeO₂ nanoparticles were used as modifier molecules as a thin film on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in the trace level quantification of Zn²⁺ by using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) techniques. The fabricated sensor exhibited a good analytical response towards Zn²⁺ ions. The modified electrode showed a wide linearity in the concentration range 20–380 μg L^?1 with a limit of detection 0.36 μg L^?1. The proposed electrochemical sensor was successfully applied to trace level Zn²⁺ quantification from real sample matrices.     

The Electrochemical Behavior of p‐tert‐Butyl‐sulfonylcalix[4]arene and Its Selective Complexation with Metal Ions at Water‐Air Interface

The electrochemical behavior of p‐tert‐butyl‐sulfonylcalix[4]arene (SCA) has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The results show that there is an irreversible electrochemical oxidative wave when the potential ranges from 0.9 to 1.9 V versus saturated calomel electrode (SCE) in CH₂Cl₂ at a glassy carbon electrode. The kinetic parameters of the andic wave, such as α,n, k_s, D and the diffusion activation energy (E_d), were discussed. In addition, the interaction of SCA with metal ions at the water‐air interface was also discussed by Langmuir‐Blodgett (LB) techniques. The results confirm that the selectivity of SCA as ligand for Pb²⁺ in monomolecular film is very high by complexation action, which provide the foundation that LB film of SCA modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) as voltammetric sensor to detect trace amounts of Pb²⁺.     

Electrochemical oxidation determination and voltammetric behaviour of 4-nitrophenol based on Cu2O nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode

Cu₂O nanoparticles (nano-Cu₂O) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was fabricated and used to investigate the electrochemical behaviour of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) by cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry (CA), chronocoulometry (CC) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Compared with GCE, a remarkable increase in oxidation peak current was observed. It indicates that nano-Cu₂O exhibits remarkable enhancement effect on the electrochemical oxidation of 4-NP. Under the optimised experimental conditions, the oxidation peak currents were propotional to 4-NP concentration in the range from 1.0?×?10^?6 to 4.0?×?10^?4?mol?L^?1 with a detection limit of 5.0?×?10^?7?mol?L^?1 (S/N?=?3). The fabricated electrode presented good repeatability, stability and anti-interference. Finally, the proposed method was applied to determine 4-NP in water samples. The recoveries for these samples were from 94.60% to 105.5%.     

Click‐Conjugation of Nanogold‐Functionalized PAMAM Dendrimer: Toward a Novel Electrochemical Detection Platform

This work reports a new electrochemical monitoring platform for sensitive detection of Cu²⁺ coupling click chemistry with nanogold‐functionalized PAMAM dendrimer (AuNP‐PAMAM). The system involved an alkyne‐modified carbon electrode and an azide‐functionalized AuNP‐PAMAM. Initially, the added Cu²⁺ was reduced to Cu⁺ by the ascorbate, and then the azide‐modified AuNP‐PAMAM was covalently conjugated to the electrode via Cu⁺‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne click reaction. The carried AuNPs accompanying PAMAM dendrimer could be directly monitored by stripping voltammetry after acidic pretreatment. By introduction of high‐loading PAMAM dendrimer with gold nanoparticles, as low as 2.8 pM Cu²⁺ (ppt) could be detected, which was 125‐fold lower than that of gold nanoparticle‐based labeling strategy. The method exhibited high specificity toward target Cu²⁺ against other potentially interfering ions, and was applicable for monitoring Cu²⁺ in drinking water with satisfactory results.     

A Novel Electrochemical Sensor Based on Copper‐based Metal‐Organic Framework for the Determination of Dopamine

A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with a copper‐based metal‐organic framework (MOF) [HKUST‐1, HKUST‐1 = Cu₃(BTC)₂ (BTC = 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylicacid)] was developed as a highly sensitive and simple electrochemical sensor for the determination of dopamine (DA). The MOF was prepared by a hydrothermal process, and the morphology and crystal phase of the MOF were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. Meanwhile, the electrochemical performance was investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Under optimized conditions, the modified electrode showed excellent electrocatalytic activity and high selectivity toward DA. The linear response range was from 5.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ M and the detection limit was as low as 1.5 × 10⁻⁷ M. Moreover, the electrochemical sensor was used to detect DA in real samples with excellent results. MOF‐based sensors hold great promise for routine sensing applications in the field of electrochemical sensing.     

Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetric Detection of Single‐Stranded DNA at Electrochemically Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

Electrochemically modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was used to study the electrochemical oxidation and detection of denatured single‐stranded (ss) DNA by means of adsorptive stripping voltammetry. The modification of GCE, by electrochemical oxidation at +1.75 V (vs.SCE) for 10 min and cyclic sweep between +0.3 V and ?1.3 V for 20 cycles in pH 5.0 phosphate buffer, results in 100‐fold improvement in sensitivity for ssDNA detection. We speculated that the modified GCE has a high affinity to single‐stranded DNA through hydrogen bond (specific static adsorption). Single‐stranded DNA can accumulate at the GCE surface at open circuit and produce a well‐defined oxidation peak corresponding to the guanine residues at about +0.80 V in pH 5.0 phosphate buffer, while the native DNA gives no signal under the same condition. The peak currents are proportional to the ssDNA concentration in the range of 0–18.0 μg mL^?1. The detection limit of denatured ssDNA is ca. 0.2 μg mL^?1 when the accumulation time is 8 min at open circuit. The accumulation mechanism of ssDNA on the modified GCE was discussed.     

Biomimetic Sensor for Dobutamine Employing Nano‐ TiO2/Nafion/Carbon Nanoparticles Modified Electrode

A novel voltammetric biosensor based on nano‐TiO₂/nafion/carbon nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode (TiO₂/N/CNP/GCE) was developed for the determination of dobutamine (DBA). Characterization of the surface morphology and property of TiO₂/N/CNP layer was carried out by the scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The electrochemical performance of the modified electrode was investigated by means of the cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. Effective experimental variables, such as the scan rate, pH of the supporting electrolyte, drop size of the casted modifier suspension and accumulation conditions of DBA on the surface of TiO₂/N/CNP/GCE were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, a significant electrochemical improvement was observed toward the electro‐oxidation of DBA on the surface of TiO₂/N/CNP/GCE compared to the bare GCE. Under the optimized conditions, a wide linear dynamic range (6 nM–1 µM) with a low detection limit of 2 nM for DBA was resulted. The prepared modified electrode shows high sensitivity, stability and good reproducibility in the determination of DBA concentrations. Satisfactory results were obtained for DBA analysis in the pharmaceutical and clinical preparations using TiO₂/N/CNP/GCE.     

Direct Determination of Cu2+ Based on the Electrochemical Catalytic Reaction of Fe3+/Cu2+

Copper ion (Cu²⁺) is one of the heavy metal ions which has been considered as a severe pollutant affecting the environment and human health. Therefore, it is necessary to detect Cu²⁺ sensitively and conveniently in food and drinks. However, the gold standard method that inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) is expensive equipment required and time‐consuming. In this work, a highly sensitive and facile electrochemical method was studied to directly determine the concentration of Cu²⁺ without cumbersome modification on the surface of glassy carbon electrode (GCE). In the presence of ferric ion (Fe³⁺), Cu²⁺ could play a role of catalyst in the detection system, and the electrochemical signal of differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) response to Cu²⁺ could be amplified obviously. Under the optimal conditions, a good linear relationship was obtained in the range of 1 nM to 5 μM with a detection limit of 57.5 pM (S/N=3) were obtained. Besides, the proposed method has good applicability for the detection of Cu²⁺ in tap water. Furthermore, the copper complex was detected and the results were indicated the proposed method was effective and sensitive.     

Nucleic Acid Biosensor for Detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Using Aquabis(1,10‐phenanthroline)copper(II) Perchlorate as Electrochemical Indicator

The electrochemical behavior of aquabis(1,10‐phenanthroline)copper(II) perchlorate [Cu(H₂O)(phen)₂]·2ClO₄, where phen=1,10‐phenanthroline, on binding to DNA at a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and in solution, was described. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) results showed that [Cu(H₂O)(phen)₂]²⁺ had excellent electrochemical activity on the GCE with a couple of quasi‐reversible redox peaks. The interaction mode between [Cu(H₂O)(phen)₂]²⁺ and double‐strand DNA (dsDNA) was identified to be intercalative binding. An electrochemical DNA biosensor was developed with covalent immobilization of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) probe for single‐strand DNA (ssDNA) on the modified GCE. Numerous factors affecting the probe immobilization, target hybridization, and indicator binding reactions were optimized to maximize the sensitivity and speed of the assay. With this approach, a sequence of the HIV could be quantified over the range from 7.8×10^?9 to 3.1×10^?7 mol·L^?1 with a linear correlation of γ=0.9987 and a detection limit of 1.3×10^?9 mol·L^?1.     

Polythymine Oligonucleotide‐Modified Gold Electrode for Voltammetric Determination of Mercury(II) in Aqueous Solution

Polythymine oligonucleotide (PTO)‐modified gold electrode (PTO/Au) was developed for selective and sensitive Hg²⁺ detection in aqueous solutions. This modified electrode was prepared by self‐assembly of thiolated polythymine oligonucleotide (5′‐SH‐T₁₅‐3′) on the gold electrode via Au? S bonds, and then the surface was passivated with 1‐mercaptohexanol solution. The proposed electrode utilizes the specific binding interactions between Hg²⁺ and thymine to selectively capture Hg²⁺, thereby reducing the interference from coexistent ions. After exchanging the medium, electrochemical reduction at ?0.2 V for 60 s, voltammetric determination was performed by differential pulse voltammetry using 10 mM HEPES; pH 7.2, 1 M NaClO₄ as supporting electrolyte. This electrode showed increasing voltammetric response in the range of 0.21 nM Hg²⁺, with a relative standard deviation of 5.32% and a practical detection limit of 60 pM. Compared with the conventional stripping approach, the modified electrode exhibits good sensitivity and selectivity, and is expected to be a new type of green electrode.