Calix[4]Resorcinarene Macrocycles Interactions with Cd2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+ Cations: A QCM‐I and Langmuir Ultra‐thin Monolayers Study

Stable ultra‐thin Langmuir monolayers of calix[4]resorcinarene derivatives, namely: C‐dec‐9‐enylcalix[4]resorcinarene‐O‐(R+)‐α‐methylbenzylamine (Ionophore I ), and C‐dec‐9‐enylcalix[4]resorcinarene‐O‐(S‐)‐α‐methylbenzylamine (Ionophore II ), were prepared at the air‐water interface. Their interactions with a series of heavy metals (HM) ions (Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Cd²⁺) present in the aqueous subphase were investigated by measuring surface pressure‐area isotherms, at different concentrations. The surface pressure‐area (Π‐A) isotherms were stable and demonstrated the HM amounts influence on the limiting area (A_lim) values, therefore confirming the examined macrocycles capability to host the metallic toxicants. Additionally, a HM concentration dependence was realized and interpreted by a selective tendency of both ionophores towards Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions over Pb²⁺ and Hg²⁺, especially at high concentrations. The HM ions interactions with the applied calix[4]resorcinarene Langmuir ultra‐thin monolayers were interpreted based on the Gibbs‐Shishkovsky adsorption equation. Moreover, quartz crystal microbalance with impedance measurement (QCM‐I), was applied for the detection of HM ions in solutions. The QCM‐I results showed the effectiveness of the coated QCM‐I crystals in detecting the ions at different concentrations. The detection limit values were in the order of 0.16, 0.3, 0.65, 1.1 ppm (Ionophore I), as well 0.11, 0.45, 0.2, 0.89 (Ionophore II) for the Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Cd²⁺ cations, respectively. Additionally, a selective tendency of both ionophores towards copper ions was shown.     

A piezogravimetric sensor platform for sensitive detection of lead (II) ions in water based on calix[4]resorcinarene macrocycles: Synthesis,characterization and detection

The heavy metal ions detection is a foremost concern in water sources, the conventional detection methods are either time consuming or expensive, thus the need of fast, low-cost and accurate sensing methods is growing. Based on this direction, this paper describes the synthesis of newly enantiomeric calix[4]resorcinarenes, namely: C-dec-9-enylcalix[4]resorcinarene-O-(S-)-α-methylbenzylamine (Compound B) and C-dec-9-enylcalix[4]resorcinarene-O-(R+)-α-methylbenzylamine (Compound C), the two macrocycles were the subject of comparative characterization studies using (FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, TG-DSC-MS, and P-XRD). The realization of modified quartz resonator-gold electrodes, and its introductory employment in the assembly of a novel QCM-I (Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Impedance measurements) based chemosensor for the detection of lead ions in the aqueous solutions is reported for the first time to the best of our knowledge, moreover both Calix-QCM based sensors presented good linearity, acceptable sensitivities, and wide linear ranges, as well as lower detection limits in the order of 0.45 and 0.30 ppm for compounds B and C, consecutively.     

In-situ electrochemical and piezogravimetric studies on the application of macrocyclic resorcinarene tetramer in the development of chemically-modified heavy metals ions detection platform in aqueous media

The new application of C-dec-9-enylcalix[4]resorcinarene (R₁), as an ionophore to detect heavy metals (HMs) cations (Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Pb²⁺) in the aqueous media has been investigated through the preparation of an effective mass-sensitive sensor via the exploitation of a flow-type QCM-I technique. By adjusting the ions’ amounts in model solutions over a wide range of concentrations, acquired changes in the oscillating frequency related to the loading of metal ions on the sensor’s surface were gained, and thus favorable metrological parameters displaying the lowest detection limit (LOD) associated with copper ions (10 ppb). Simultaneously, a novel voltammetric sensor was prepared by modifying gold screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) with R₁. Electrochemical characterization employing CV, SWV, and EIS was carried out, showing the success of the electrode modification. Then, the experimental conditions of supporting electrolyte, pH, accumulation time, and accumulation potential were optimized to achieve an enhanced detection. The R₁@SPE sensor simultaneously detected the HMs (Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺), and the lowest LOD was associated with Pb²⁺ (0.19 ppb). The selectivity evaluation of the electrochemical sensor was performed by studying the effect of interferences majorly present in water sources (Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Al³⁺, and K⁺) on the SWV detection signals, and it was revealed that the interfering ions did not affect the simultaneous detection of the studied HMs (RSD less than 5%), the voltammetric sensors also presented excellent repeatability and reproducibility (RSD less than 5%).     

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.     

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.     

Preparation of guanidinylated carboxymethyl chitosan and its application in the diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) technique for measuring labile trace metals in water

ABSTRACT

Guanidinylated carboxymethyl chitosan (GCMCS) was prepared via the guanidinylation of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS). A device employing the diffusive gradients for thin films (DGT) technique was made using a GCMCS aqueous solution as the binding agent and a cellulose acetate dialysis membrane (CADM) as the diffusion phase to measure labile Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ in water. The percentage uptake (U%) values of labile Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ in a synthetic water sample were almost consistent with the theoretical values at 101.6 ± 2.8%, 104.6 ± 6.1% and 95.9 ± 4.4%, respectively. The optimum pH ranges for the measurement of labile Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ were 3.0–7.0, 3.0–7.0 and 4.0–8.0, respectively. The ionic strength mainly affected the diffusion of metal ions in the CADM. The diffusion rates decreased with increasing concentrations of NaNO₃ solutions. The application of GCMCS-DGT in natural water and industrial wastewater showed that dissolved organic carbon (DOC) only affects metal species, and the accurate determination of labile Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ can be achieved when the diffusion coefficients of these metal ions in the diffusion phase have been determined. GCMCS is suitable for DGT application as a chelating agent for metal ions.     

Simultaneous Titration of Ternary Mixtures of Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) with Potentiometric Electronic Tongue Detection

An automatic titration method is reported to resolve ternary mixtures of transition metals (Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Cu²⁺) employing electronic tongue detection and a reduced number of pre‐defined additions of EDTA titrant. Sensors used were PVC membrane selective electrodes with generic response to heavy‐metals, plus an artificial neural network response model. Detection limits obtained were ca. 1 mg L^?1 for the three target ions and reproducibilities 3.0 % for Pb²⁺, 4.1 % for Cd²⁺ and 5.2 % for Cu²⁺. The system was applied to contaminated soil samples and high accuracy was obtained for the determination of Pb²⁺. In the determination Cd²⁺ and Cu²⁺, sample matrix showed a significant effect.     

Competitive heavy metal removal by poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propane sulfonic acid‐co‐itaconic acid)

The competitive removal of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Cd²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions by the copolymer of 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and itaconic acid (IA), P(AMPS‐co‐IA), was investigated. Homopolymer of AMPS (PAMPS) was also used to remove these ions from their aqueous solution. In the preparation of AMPS–IA copolymer, the molar percentages of AMPS and IA were 80 and 20, respectively. In order to observe the changes in the structures of polymers due to metal adsorption, FTIR spectra by attenuated total reflectancetechnique and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) pictures of the polymers were taken both before and after adsorption experiments. Total metal ion removal capacities of PAMPS and P(AMPS‐co‐IA) were 1.685 and 1.722 mmol Me²⁺/g_polymer, respectively. Experimental data were evaluated to determine the kinetic characteristics of the adsorption process. Competitive adsorption of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Cd²⁺ ions onto both PAMPS and P(AMPS‐co‐IA) was found to fit pseudo‐second‐order type kinetics. In addition, the removal orders in the competitive adsorption of these metal ions onto PAMPS and P(AMPS‐co‐IA) were found to be Cd²⁺ > Pb²⁺ > Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ > Cd²⁺ > Cu²⁺, respectively. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.     

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.     

Highly selective in situ metal ion determination by hybrid electrochemical "adsorption-desorption" and colorimetric methods

A novel and facile hybrid analytical method coupling electrochemical “adsorption–desorption” and colorimetric analyses was developed to detect heavy metal ions in turbid water samples. The target metal ions were deposited onto an electrode inserted into the original sample, which was referred to as the “adsorption” process. After changing the medium, the concentrated target metal ions were dissolved in a new, clean buffer (blank buffer), which was referred to as the “desorption” process. The concentrations of the target metal ions were measured by colorimetric analyses after the addition of specific indicator amounts. We demonstrated the applicability of this method by detecting Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ with co-depositing Bi³⁺ on portable screen-printed electrodes (SPEs). A good correlation (correlation coefficient of R = 0.997) was observed between concentrations ranging from 1 to 200 μM and absorbance values. After the multiple “desorption” process, the even better detection limits as low as 10, 10 and 100 nM were achieved for Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺, respectively. The practicality of this hybrid method was confirmed by the detection of Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ in wastewater samples, and these results were in agreement with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Overall, this hybrid method provides a simple, selective and effective technique for environmental pollutant analyses.     

Photoactive chemosensors 4: a Cu protein cavity mimicking fluorescent chemosensor for selective Cu recognition

Fluorescent chemosensor 3 can sense Cu²⁺ ions (1-8 μM) even in the presence of elevated levels of Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ag⁺ and Pb²⁺ (5000 μM). 3 can also analyze for Ag⁺ ions (50-500 μM) in the presence of Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ (5000 μM) but Cu²⁺ strongly interferes.     

On-line trace metal enrichment and matrix isolation in atomic absorption spectrometry by a column containing immobilized 8-quinolinol in a flow-injection system

Metal ions (Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺) were concentrated quantitatively and isolated from the sample matrix by a colum     

Evaluation of PANI-Averraoha bilimbi leaves activated carbon nanocomposite for Cd2+ and Pb2+ removal from wastewater

In current investigation, we synthesized new Polyaniline-Averraoha Bilimbi Leaves Activated Carbon (PANI-ABLC) nanocomposites and utilized as cost effectual for the elimination of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions from the wastewater. The synthesized nanocomposite was confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX), Fourier Transform-Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-Ray Diffraction (X-RD) techniques. A batch adsorption study carried in wastewater containing different concentrations of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions in the temperature range of 303–343 K. The results show that, around 80% of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions from the wastewater was successfully isolated by using PANI-ABLC nanocomposite. Attempts were made to fit adsorption to different isotherm models. The PANI-ABLC nanocomposite complied Langmuir adsorption model (R² = 0.999) and pseudo-second order kinetics. Further, maximum adsorption efficiency observed at 0.5 g of Polyaniline-Averraoha bilimbi leaves activated carbon nanocomposites. AC- Impedance Spectroscopy (IS) technique shows that, Polyaniline-Averraoha Bilimbi Leaves Activated Carbon (PANI-ABLC) nanocomposite is suitable for removal of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions from the wastewater. AC impedance spectroscopy technique study shows that, the process of adsorption was controlled by charge transfer process.     

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%.     

Copper Solid Amalgam Electrodes

This work describes the behavior of copper solid amalgam electrodes (CuSAE). The applied potential range has been compared with that of the silver solid amalgam electrode (AgSAE) and the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). In 0.05 M tetraborate buffer the applicable potential range of CuSAE is+0.945 V to ?1.75 V excluding ?0.2 V to ?0.5 V, where the anodic oxidation of copper occurs. CuSAE does not need other than electrochemical pre‐treatment, which has been documented by the evaluated repeatability of eleven voltammetric curves of Cd²⁺ (0.1 ppm), Pb²⁺ (0.1 ppm) and Mn²⁺ (0.5 ppm). The obtained results showed that CuSAE could substitute the solid copper, amalgamed copper or liquid copper amalgam electrodes, and can be applied for the study of systems needing an addition of Cu²⁺ ions into the measured solution.     

Spectrophotometric study of complexation of dibenzopyridino-18-crown-6 with some transition and post-transition metal ions in DMSO solution using murexide as a metallochromic ligand

The complexation reaction of dibenzopyridino-18-crown-6 (DBPY 18C6) with Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Ag⁺ have been studied in DMSO at 25°C by the spectrophotometric method. Murexide was used as a competitive colored ligand. The stoichiometry of metal ion-murexide and metal ions with DBPY18C6 complexes were estimated by mole ratio and continuous variation methods and emphasized by the KINFIT program. The stoichiometry of all the complexes was found to be 1: 1 (metal ion/ligand). The order of stability constants for the obtained metal ion-murexide complexes (1: 1) varies in the order Cu²⁺ > Cd²⁺ > Co²⁺ ∼ Pb²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Ag⁺ > Hg²⁺. This trend shows that the transition metal ions clearly obey the Irving-Williams role. For the post-transition metal ions, the ionic radius and soft-hard behavior was the major affects in varying of this order. The dibenzopyridino-18-crown-6 complexes with the used metal ions vary as Ag⁺ > Pb²⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Cd²⁺ > Hg²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Co²⁺. The article is published in the original.     

Preconcentration and Determination of Trace Amounts of Heavy Metals in Water Samples Using Membrane Disk and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

A fast and simple method for preconcentration of Ni^2＋, Cd^2＋, Pb^2＋, Zn^2＋, Cu^2＋ and Co^2＋ from natural water samples was developed. The metal ions were complexed with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate （Na-DDTC）, then adsorbed onto octadecyl silica membrane disk, recovered and determined by FAAS. Extraction efficiency, influence of sample volume and eluent flow rates, effects of pH, amount of Na-DDTC, nature and amount of eluent for elution of metal ions from membrane disk, break through volume and limit of detection have been evaluated. The effect of foreign ions on the percent recovery of heavy metal ions has also been studied. The limit of detection of the proposed method for Ni^2＋, Cd^2＋, Pb^2＋, Zn^2＋, Cu^2＋ and Co^2＋was found to be 2.03, 0.47, 3.13, 0.44, 1.24 and 2.05 ng·mL^-1, respectively. The proposed （DDTC） method has been successfully applied to the recovery and determination of heavy metal ions in different water samples.     

Benzimidazole-based optical probe for selective detection of multiple-cations via dual-channel analysis

A benzimidazole-based optical probe having pendant carboxyl, amine, and imine groups as ionophore has been prepared for screening various metal ions. The 4-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-1H-imidazole-5-carboxylic acid (1) has been obtained in good yield and characterized by full battery of complementary physico-chemical techniques including ¹H NMR, UV-Vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray crystallography. Metal ion-binding properties of 1 have been studied using ppm level concentration of representative alkali metal (Na⁺, K⁺), alkaline earth metal (Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺), and transition metal (Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ag⁺) ions and the output signal was monitored via two different channels viz chromogenically and fluorogenically. Selective recognition of Hg²⁺ has been explored with absorption spectra whereas emission spectra of 1 display differential response for multiple cations at parts-per-million (ppm) level concentration that allow selective detection of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Na⁺ ions. The results have been discussed in light of selectivity, sensitivity, response time, mode of binding/interactions, and sensing properties.