Naked magnetite nanoparticles for both clean-up and solid-phase extraction-trace determination of mercury

A new solid-phase extraction method was developed for trace determination of Hg(II) by using a small amount of naked magnetite nanoparticles as an adsorbent. The magnetite nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The adsorbed Hg(II)-dithizone complex was eluted with 1.0 mL aliquot of an acidic 1-propanol solution prior to electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. A huge positive effect was found on the mercury adsorption by ionic strength. Under optimized condition, a linear calibration curve was obtained for mercury in the range of 0.2–50 ng mL^?1 with relative standard deviation in the range of 0.5–2.0%. The limit of detection and enrichment factor were 0.01 ng mL^?1 and 98.3, respectively. The effects of coexisting ions were studied extensively, and a new clean-up procedure was used to remove the matrix effects by using a simple sample pretreatment step using a little amount of magnetite nanoparticles. The method was successfully applied to the determination of Hg(II) in different water and human urine samples and a commercial sodium nitrate.     

Differential Pulse Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetric Determination of Chlorpyrifos at a Sepiolite Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

Abstract

An adsorptive stripping voltammetric (AdSV) method for the determination of organophosphorus insecticide chlorpyrifos at a bare carbon paste electrode (CPE) and clay modified carbon paste electrode (CMCPE) was developed. A systematic study of various experimental conditions, such as the pH, accumulation variables and composition of a modifier on the adsorptive stripping response, were examined by using differential pulse voltammetry. A significant improvement was observed in the sensitivity by using the present method with CMCPE. When CMCPE was used, a linear response was obtained over the concentration range 0.0001–2.0 ppm with lower detection limit of 0.00008 ppm, at an accumulation time of 80 s. The interference from other herbicides and ions on the stripping signal of the compound was also evaluated. The described method was applied to estimate the chlorpyrifos in environmental samples.     

硫化铜纳米粒子的合成及应用于汞离子的测定

室温下以柠檬酸三纳为稳定剂,在水相中合成了CuS纳米粒子(NP-CuS)。 用共振光散射(RLS)技术探索了不同pH值和Cu2+与S2-不同配比条件下,体系RLS强度(IRLS)的变化。 结果表明,在最佳实验条件下,在0.01~100 μmol/L范围内IRLS与汞离子浓度间呈现良好的线性关系(r=0.991),据此建立了测定水中微量汞的方法。 方法的检测限为0.003 μmol/L,样品加标测定的回收率为100.3%~103.4%。     

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering in nanoliter droplets: towards high-sensitivity detection of mercury (II) ions

We report a new method for the trace analysis of mercury (II) ions in water. The approach involves the use of droplet-based microfluidics combined with surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection. This novel combination provides both fast and sensitive detection of mercury (II) ions in water. Specifically, mercury (II) ion detection is performed by using the strong affinity between gold nanoparticles and mercury (II) ions. This interaction causes a change in the SERS signal of the reporter molecule rhodamine B that is a function of mercury (II) ion concentration. To allow both reproducible and quantitative analysis, aqueous samples are encapsulated within nanoliter-sized droplets. Manipulation of such droplets through winding microchannels affords rapid and efficient mixing of the contents. Additionally, memory effects, caused by the precipitation of nanoparticle aggregates on channel walls, are removed since the aqueous droplets are completely isolated by a continuous oil phase. Quantitative analysis of mercury (II) ions was performed by calculating spectral peak area of rhodamine B at 1,647 cm⁻¹. Using this approach, the calculated concentration limit of detection was estimated to be between 100 and 500 ppt. Compared with fluorescence-based methods for the trace analysis of mercury (II) ions, the detection sensitivities were enhanced by approximately one order of magnitude. The proposed analytical method offers a rapid and reproducible trace detection capability for mercury (II) ions in water.     

Solid phase extraction and preconcentration of trace mercury(II) from aqueous solution using magnetic nanoparticles doped with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide

A new method for solid-phase extraction and preconcentration of trace mercury(II) from aqueous solution was developed using 1,5-diphenylcarbazide doped magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as extractant. The surface treatment did not result in the phase change of Fe₃O₄. Various factors which influenced the recovery of the analyte were investigated using model solutions and batch equilibrium technique. The maximum adsorption occurred at pH?>?6, and equilibrium was achieved within 5 min. Without filtration or centrifugation, these mercury loaded nanoparticles could be separated easily from the aqueous solution by simply applying an external magnetic field. At optimal conditions, the maximum adsorption capacity was 220 μmol g^?1. The mercury ions can be eluted from the composite magnetic particles using 0.5 mol L^?1 HNO₃ as a desorption reagent. The detection limit of the method (3σ) was 0.16 μg L^?1 for cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry, and the relative standard deviation was 2.2%. The method was validated by the analysis of a certified reference material with the results being in agreement with those quoted by manufactures. The method was applied to the preconcentration and determination of trace inorganic mercury(II) in natural water and plant samples with satisfactory results.     

Differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of dinoseb and dinoterb at a modified electrode.

A sensitive adsorptive stripping voltammetric method for the determination of dinitrophenolic herbicides, dinoseb (DSB) and dinoterb (DTB) at a bare carbon paste electrode (CPE) and a clay modified carbon paste electrode (CMCPE) was developed. A systematic study of various experimental conditions, such as the pH, accumulation variables and composition of a modifier on the adsorptive stripping response, were examined by using differential pulse voltammetry. A significant improvement was observed in the sensitivity by using the present method with CMCPE. When CMCPE was used, a linear response was obtained over the concentration range 2 x 10(-10) to 3 x 10(-7) M and 6 x 10(-10) to 6 x 10(-7) M with lower detection limits of 1 x 10(-10) M and 5.4 x 10(-10) M for dinoseb and dinoterb, respectively, at an accumulation time of 100 s. The interference from other herbicides and ions on the stripping signals of both compounds was also evaluated. The described method was applied to estimate of the dinoseb and dinoterb in environmental samples.     

Silver modified magnetic carbon nanotubes composite as a selective solid phase extractor for preconcentration and determination of trace mercury ions in water solution

A magnetic composite of silver/iron oxides/carbon nanotubes (Ag/Fe₃O₄/CNTs) was synthesized and used as an adsorbent for the preconcentration of mercury ions in water solutions at room temperature (25°C) in this study. The silver nanoparticles were supported on the magnetic CNTs. The modification enabled the composite had not only a high adsorption capacity for mercury ions (Hg²⁺) but also the magnetic isolation properties. A fast, sensitive, and simple method was successfully developed for the preconcentration and determination of trace amount of Hg²⁺ in water using the synthesized nanocomposite as adsorbent. The mercury concentration was determined by an atomic fluorescence spectrometer (AFS). The experimental conditions such as pH value, extraction temperature, extraction time, sample volume, eluent composition and concentration, sorbent amount, and coexisting ions were investigated for the optimization. A 500 mL of sample volume resulted in a preconcentration factor of 125. When a 200 mL of sample was employed, the limit of detection for Hg²⁺ was as low as 0.03 ng mL^?1with relative standard deviation of 4.4% at 0.1 ng mL^?1 (n = 7). The ease of synthesis and separation, the good adsorption capacity, and the satisfactory recovery will possibly make the composite an attractive adsorbent for the preconcentration of ultratrace Hg²⁺ in waters.     

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.     

Mercury‐modified Lignosulfonate‐stabilized Gold Nanoparticles as an Alternative Material for Anodic Stripping Voltammetry of Thallium

Lignosulfonate‐stabilized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs‐LS) were synthesized and subsequently used as a complexing agent for mercury ions. The obtained AuNPs‐LS/Hg²⁺ complex was characterized by means of various physicochemical techniques such as UV‐vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Furthermore, the resulting complex was evaluated as an electrode modifier for the development of amperometric sensors. Upon sufficient negative potential, the bound mercury ions are reduced to form an amalgam with AuNPs‐LS. Thus, the performance of glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified by AuNPs‐LS/Hg film was investigated as an electrochemical sensor in the determination of Tl⁺ ions in a 0.05 M EDTA at pH 4.5. The presence of the mercury containing film improves the analyte accumulation due to its ability to form a fused amalgam with thallium. The presented data indicate that the GCE/AuNPs‐LS/Hg modified electrode shows better performance toward Tl⁺ determination in comparison to bare GCE. The stripping anodic peak current of thallium was linear over its concentration range from 1.7⋅10⁻⁷ to 5.0⋅10⁻⁶ M. The detection limit (3σ) was estimated to be 1.4⋅10⁻⁷ M. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of thallium ions in real samples of soil derived from the area of the copper smelter near Głogów (Poland).     

A plasmonic mercury sensor based on silver–gold alloy nanoparticles electrodeposited on indium tin oxide glass

We construct silver–gold alloy nanoparticles (Ag–AuNPs) as the basis of a reagentless, sensitive and simple mercury sensor. Ag–AuNPs were electrodeposited directly on transparent indium tin oxide film coated glass. Hg(II) ions in aqueous solution could be reduced by Ag atoms existing in Ag–AuNPs; the deposition/amalgamation of Hg on the nanoparticles resulted in a blue shift of the localized surface plasmon resonance peak. Therefore, Hg^2 + can be detected quantitatively by using a spectrophotometer. The sensor response is linear in the range from 0.05 to 500 ppb of Hg(II) concentration. No sample separation or preconcentration is required for detection of ultralow levels of mercury in water samples. The results shown herein have potential applications in the development of a new optical sensor for the detection of low concentrations of mercury.     

Determination of Nanomolar Levels of Mercury(II) by Exploiting the Silver Stain Enhancement of the Aggregation of Aptamer-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles

An ultrasensitive method for the determination of mercury(II) ions was developed based on mercury(II)-induced strong and selective binding of thymine-thymine mismatches between aptamers on gold nanoparticles and a signal amplification effect caused by a silver stain. The gold nanoparticles were first coated with a single-stranded DNA aptamer rich in thymine. In the presence of mercury(II), the functionalized gold nanoparticles aggregated due to the formation of thymine-Hg(II)-thymine complexes resulting in a largely reduced surface area of the gold nanoparticles when exposed to silver ions during staining. Therefore, fewer silver ions were reduced, and the average grey values, as measured by a scanner, were lower. The average grey values were linearly related to the logarithm of mercury(II) concentration from 1 to 500 nM. In addition, there were no significant interferences by common metal ions due to the high specificity of the interaction between mercury(II) and the aptamer. The method offers high sensitivity, good selectivity, and the absence of large equipment that makes it suitable for field analysis.     

Preparation of a clay-modified carbon paste electrode based on 2-thiazoline-2-thiol-hexadecylammonium sorption for the sensitive determination of mercury.

A montmorillonite from Wyoming-USA was used to prepare an organo-clay complex, named 2-thiazoline-2-thiol-hexadecyltrimethylammonium-clay (TZT-HDTA-clay), for the purpose of the selective adsorption of the heavy metals ions and possible use as a chemically modified carbon paste electrode (CMCPE). Adsorption isotherms of Hg2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ from aqueous solutions as a function of the pH were studied at 298 K. Conditions for quantitative retention and elution were established for each metal by batch and column methods. The organo-clay complex was very selective to Hg(II) in aqueous solution in which other metals and ions were also present. The accumulation voltammetry of Hg(II) was studied at a carbon paste electrode chemically modified with this material. The mercury response was evaluated with respect to the pH, electrode composition, preconcentration time, mercury concentration, "cleaning" solution, possible interferences and other variables. A carbon paste electrode modified by TZT-HDTA-clay showed two peaks: one cathodic peak at about 0.0 V and an anodic peak at 0.25 V, scanning the potential from -0.2 to 0.8 V (0.05 M KNO3 vs. Ag/AgCl). The anodic peak at 0.25 V presents excellent selectivity for Hg(II) ions in the presence of foreign ions. The detection limit was estimated as 0.1 microg L(-1). The precision of determination was satisfactory for the respective concentration level.     

Direct colorimetric visualization of mercury (Hg) based on the formation of gold nanoparticles

It is critical to be able to detect and quantify Hg²⁺ ions under aqueous conditions with high sensitivity and selectivity. The technique presented herein provides a direct way for simple colorimetric visualization of Hg²⁺ ions in aqueous solution, based on the formation of gold nanoparticles through the Hg²⁺ catalyzed HAuCl₄/NH₂OH reaction. The outstanding selectivity and sensitivity result from the well-known amalgamation process that occurs between mercury and gold. The entire procedure takes less than 20 min. The limit of detection (2 ppb) shows excellent potential for monitoring ultralow levels of mercury in water samples.     

Molecularly imprinted TiO(2) thin film using stable ground-state complex as template as applied to selective electrochemical determination of mercury

Molecular recognition sites for mercury ions were imprinted in TiO₂ film using stable ground-state complex of 1-amino-8-naphtol-3,6-disodium sulfonate (ANDS) and mercury ions as template. The complex ratio between mercury ions and ANDS was estimated to be 2:1. Compared with the controlled and pure TiO₂ electrodes, the imprinted electrode revealed selectivity towards the imprinted ions. Linear calibration plots for mercury ions were obtained and the regression equation was I_p (μA) = 4.29 × 10⁻⁷ + 19.40 [Hg²⁺] with a detection limit of 3.06 × 10⁻⁹ mol/l. The imprinted electrode could be used for more than 1 month. Recoveries were calculated at both high and low concentrations, with a mean recovery of 99.6%.     

DNA Hybridization at Magnetic Nanoparticles with Electrochemical Stripping Detection

A simple and practical method for electrochemical DNA hybridization assay has been developed to take advantage of magnetic nanoparticles for ssDNA immobilization and zinc sulfide nanoparticle as oligonucleotide label. Magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by coprecipitation of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ with NH₄OH, and then amino silane was coated onto the surface of magnetite nanoparticles. The magnetic nanoparticles have the advantages of easy preparation, easy surface modification and low cost. The target ssDNA with the phosphate group at the 5′ end was then covalently immobilized to the amino group of magnetite nanoparticles by forming a phosphoramidate bond in the presence of 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimeth‐ylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDAC). The zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanoparticle‐labeled oligonucleotides probe was used to identify the target ssDNA immobilized on the magnetic nanoparticles based on a specific hybridization reaction. The hybridization events were assessed by the dissolution of the zinc sulfide nanoparticles anchored on the hybrids and the indirect determination of the dissolved zinc ions by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) at a mercury film glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The proposed method couples the high sensitivity of anodic stripping analysis for zinc ions with effective magnetic separation for eliminating nonspecific adsorption effects and offers great promise for DNA hybridization analysis.     

Electrocatalytic Characteristics of Hydrazine and Hydroxylamine Oxidation at Coumestan Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

A coumestan derivative modified carbon paste electrode (CMCPE) was used as a sensitive electrochemical sensor for determination of electrocatalytic of hydrazine and hydroxylamine. The mechanism of electrocatalytic oxidation of both hydrazine and hydroxylamine using CMCPE was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and polarization studies. The kinetic parameters such as the electron transfer coefficient, α, heterogeneous rate constant, k′, and exchange current density, j₀, for oxidation of hydrazine and hydroxylamine at the CMCPE surface were determined using cyclic voltammetry. Further more, the linear dynamic range, sensitivity and limit of detection for hydrazine and hydroxylamine detections were evaluated using differential pulse voltammetry.     

Quantitative complexometric determination of mercury(II) in synthetic alloys and complexes using 2-thiazolinethiol as a masking agent

A simple, rapid and selective complexometric method is proposed for the determination of mercury(II). Mercury(II) and other related metal ions are first complexed with an excess of EDTA and the surplus EDTA is back-titrated with a standard lead nitrate solution at pH 5.0–6.0 (hexamine buffer) using xylenol orange as an indicator. A 0.2% solution of 2-thiazolinethiol in acetone is then added to displace EDTA from the Hg(II)-EDTA complex. The released EDTA is titrated with a standard lead nitrate solution as before. Reproducible and accurate results are obtained in the range of 0.8 g l^?1?15.8 g l^?1 of mercury with a relative error less than ±0.25% and a coefficient of variation (n = 6) not higher than 0.28%. The interference of various ions was studied and the method was employed for the analysis of mercury in its synthetic alloy mixtures and in complexes.     

Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetric Determination of Ultra Trace of Zinc and Lead with Carbidopa as Complexing Agent in Food and Water Samples

In the present work, the cathodic stripping voltammetric methodology using a hanging mercury drop electrode was described for simultaneous determination of lead and zinc in different real samples. The method is based on adsorption of metal ions on mercury electrode using carbidopa as a suitable complexing agent. The potential was scanned to the negative direction and the differential pulse stripping voltammograms were recorded. Optimal conditions were found to be: accumulation time; 70 s, accumulation potential; 50 mV versus Ag/AgCl, scan rate; 40 mV s^?1, supporting electrolyte; 0.01 M ammonia buffer at pH 8.5, and concentration of carbidopa; 8.0 μM. The relationship between the peak current versus concentration was linear over the range of 0.1–210 and 0.2–170 nM for lead and zinc, respectively. The detection limits are 0.09 and 0.15 nM for lead and zinc ions respectively. The relative standard deviations at a concentration level of 70 nM of both metal ions are found 1.08 and 1.24% for lead and zinc ions respectively.     

Nanoparticles as scaffolds for FRET-based ratiometric detection of mercury ions in water with QDs as donors

The quenching of quantum dots' emission by some analytes (Hg(2+), Pb(2+), etc.) has long been hindering the fabrication of QD-based 'turn-on' or ratiometric fluorescent sensors for these analytes. In this study, we demonstrate a facile solution for constructing a robust FRET-based ratiometric sensor for Hg(2+) detection in water with CdTe QDs as the donor. By using the reverse microemulsion approach, CdTe QDs were first embedded into nanosized silica particles, forming the QDs/silica cores, a positively charged ultrathin spacer layer was then deposited on each QDs/silica core, followed by the coating of a mercury ion probe on the particle surfaces. The resultant multilayered QDs/silica composite nanoparticles are dispersible in HEPES buffered water; and in the presence of mercury ions, the QDs inside the nanoparticles will not be quenched by mercury ions due to the existence of the positively charged spacer layer, but can transfer their excited energy to the acceptors (probe/Hg(2+) complex), thus achieving the FRET-based ratiometric sensing for mercury ions in totally aqueous media. With its detection limit of 260 nM, this QD-based sensor exhibits high selectivity toward mercury ion and can be used in a wide pH range. This strategy may be used to construct QDs-based ratiometric assays for other ions which quench the emission of QDs.     

Mercury determination by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry utilizing UV photoreduction

A method for the determination of mercury via UV photoreduction has been investigated. Mercury vapor was generated by the reduction of mercury species in an acetic acid solution using UV radiation. Detection of the volatile mercury was accomplished by atomic absorption spectrometry. An optimized system was found to provide a detection limit (defined as the concentration giving a signal equal to three times the standard deviation of the blank) of 2.1 μg L⁻¹ with a precision of 2.9% relative standard deviation (n = 8) for a 500 μg L⁻¹ mercury standard. The effect of various metal ions on the mercury signal was investigated and the method validated with a NRCC certified dogfish liver material (DOLT-3) using the method of standard additions. A reaction pathway is hypothesized for UV photoreduction.