Mercury-free simultaneous determination of cadmium and lead at a glassy carbon electrode modified with multi-wall carbon nanotubes

A multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWNT) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was described for the simultaneous determination of trace levels of cadmium and lead by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV). In pH 4.5 NaAc-HAc buffer containing 0.02 mol/l KI, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ first adsorb onto the surface of a MWNT film coated GCE and then reduce at −1.20 V. During the positive potential sweep, reduced cadmium and lead were oxidized, and two well-defined stripping peaks appeared at −0.88 and −0.62 V. Compared with a bare GCE, a MWNT film coated GCE greatly improves the sensitivity of determining cadmium and lead. Low concentration of I⁻ significantly enhances the stripping peak currents since it induces Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ to adsorb at the electrode surface. The striping peak currents change linearly with the concentration of Cd²⁺ from 2.5×10⁻⁸ to 1×10⁻⁵ mol/l and with that of Pb²⁺ from 2×10⁻⁸ to 1×10⁻⁵ mol/l. The lowest detectable concentrations of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ are estimated to be 6×10⁻⁹ and 4×10⁻⁹ mol/l, respectively. The high sensitivity, selectivity, and stability of this MWNT film coated electrode demonstrated its practical application for a simple, rapid and economical determination of trace levels of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ in water samples.     

Electrode Modified with Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) Film of Calixarenes for Preconcentration and Stripping Analysis of Hg(II)

A new type of current sensor, Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) film of calixarene on the surface of glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was prepared for determination of mercury by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV). An anodic stripping peak was obtained at 0.15 V (vs. SCE) by scanning the potential from ?0.6 to +0.6 V. Compared with a bare GCE, the LB film coated electrode greatly improves the sensitivity of measuring mercury ion. The fabricated electrode in a 0.1 M H₂SO₄+0.01 M HCl solution shows a linear voltammetric response in the range of 0.07–40 μg L^?1 and detection limit of 0.04 μg L^?1 (ca. 2×10^?10 M). The high sensitivity, selectivity, and stability of this LB film modified electrode demonstrates its practical application for a simple, rapid and economical determination of Hg²⁺ in a water sample.     

Electrocatalytic Properties and Voltammetric Determination of Melatonin at a Nanostructured Film Electrode

A multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWNT) film coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was fabricated, and the electrochemical behavior of melatonin on the MWNT film coated GCE was investigated. The oxidation peak current of melatonin increases significantly and the oxidation peak position shifts positively at the MWNT film modified GCE compared to that at a bare GCE. This indicates that MWNTs feature highly effective catalysis to the electrochemical oxidation of melatonin. A simple and sensitive electroanalytical method was developed for the determination of melatonin. The oxidation peak current is proportional to the concentration of melatonin from 8×10^–8 to 1×10^–5molL^–1. The detection limit is about 2×10^–8molL^–1 for 3min accumulation. The proposed method was demonstrated to work satisfactorily with commercial capsules.     

A novel amperometric sensor and chromatographic detector for determination of parathion

A novel amperometric sensor and chromatographic detector for determination of parathion has been fabricated from a multi-wall carbon nano-tube (MWCNT)/Nafion film-modified glassy-carbon electrode (GCE). The electrochemical response to parathion at the MWCNT/Nafion film electrode was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry. The redox current of parathion at the MWCNT/Nafion film electrode was significantly higher than that at the bare GCE, the MWCNT-modified GCE, and the Nafion-modified GCE. The results indicated that the MWCNT/Nafion film had an efficient electrocatalytic effect on the electrochemical response to parathion. The peak current was proportional to the concentration of parathion in the range 5.0×10^–9–2.0×10^–5 mol L^–1. The detection limit was 1.0×10^–9 mol L^–1 (after 120 s accumulation). In high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC–ED) a stable and sensitive current response was obtained for parathion at the MWCNT/Nafion film electrode. The linear range for parathion was over four orders of magnitude and the detection limit was 6.0×10^–9 mol L^–1. Application of the method for determination of parathion in rice was satisfactory.     

Electrochemical reduction and voltammetric determination of metronidazole at a nanomaterial thin film coated glassy carbon electrode

Simple and sensitive electrochemical method for the determination of metronidazole, based on a nanostructured film coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE), is described. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) was dispersed into water in the presence of a hydrophobic surfactant to give very stable and homogeneous MWNT suspension, and a MWNT-film coated GCE was achieved via evaporating solvent. Metronidazole yields a well-defined reduction peak whose potential is −0.71 V at the MWNT-film coated GCE in pH 9.0 Britton-Robinson buffer. Compared with bare GCE, the MWNT-film modified GCE significantly enhances the reduction peak current of metronidazole. All the experimental parameters were optimized for the determination of metronidazole. The detection limit is 6×10⁻⁹ mol/l at 2 min accumulation. This method has been successfully used to determine metronidazole in the drugs. Furthermore, results obtained by the proposed method have been compared with spectrophotometric method.     

Adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of 4-aminophenol at a single-wall carbon nanotubes film coated electrode

A single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT)-Nafion film coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was described for the determination of 4-aminophenol. In pH 3.0 sodium citrate-HCl buffer, the oxidation peak current of 4-aminophenol increases greatly at the SWNT-Nafion film coated GCE in contrast to that at both bare GCE and Nafion-film coated GCE. Moreover, the oxidation peak potential shifts to more negative potential. All the experimental parameters were optimized for the determination of 4-aminophenol. The oxidation peak current is proportional to the concentration of 4-aminophenol over the range from 5×10⁻⁹ to 2×10⁻⁶ mol l⁻¹. The detection limit is 8×10⁻¹⁰ mol l⁻¹ at 4 min of accumulation. Using the proposed method, 4-aminophenol in water samples was determined.     

Voltammetric determination of mercury (II) in aqueous media using glassy carbon electrodes modified with novel calix[4]arene

A novel calix[4]arene derivative containing benzothiazole group was coated on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and then applied to the recognition of mercury ion. Cyclic and square wave voltammetric results showed that the modified electrode selectively recognizes Hg²⁺ ion in aqueous media. A new anodic stripping peak at −0.3 V (vs. Ag/Ag⁺) can be obtained by scanning the potential from −0.6 to 0.6 V, and the peak currents are proportional to the Hg²⁺ concentration. The modified electrode in a 0.1 M H₂SO₄+0.01 M NaCl solution shows linear voltammetric response in the range of 25-300 μg l⁻¹ and detection limit of 5 μg l⁻¹ (ca. 2.5×10⁻⁸ M). This modified GCE does not present any significant interference from alkali, alkaline and transition metal ions except for Pb²⁺, Ag⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions. Only 500, 50 and 100-fold molar excess of Pb²⁺, Ag⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions, respectively, can lead to voltammetric response comparable with that of Hg²⁺. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine mercury in natural water.     

Determination of dinoseb by adsorptive stripping voltammetry using a mercury film electrode

An adsorptive stripping voltammetric method for the determination of the pesticide dinoseb (2-sec.-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol) at the mercury film electrode is described. The deposition of the mercury film on a glassy carbon disk electrode was optimized. The temperature, at which the mercury film was deposited, was demonstrated to have a strong influence on the stripping peaks, the first one being much more intense than the second. A systematic study of the variables affecting the stripping response was carried out by differential pulse voltammetry. The results obtained have been compared with those at the HMDE; a significant improvement in the sensitivity of the method developed with the MFE was observed. Using a 300 s accumulation time, the limits of determination and detection were 3.6 × 10^–10 and 1.1 × 10^–10 mol L^–1, respectively. The effect of the presence of several herbicides on the dinoseb response was also tested. The method has been applied to the determination of the pesticide in spiked apple juice at two concentration levels: 12.0 and 1.2 g L^–1 of juice.     

Voltammetric determination of 2-chlorophenol using a glassy carbon electrode coated with multi-wall carbon nanotube-dicetyl phosphate film

Multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) were dispersed into water in the presence of dicetyl phosphate (DCP), and MWNT-DCP composite film coated glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) were constructed. The electrochemical properties of 2-chlorophenol at a bare GCE and MWNT-DCP modified GCE were compared. It was found that MWNT-DCP modified GCEs significantly enhance the oxidation peak current of 2-chlorophenol and lowers its oxidation overpotential, suggesting great potential in the sensitive determination of 2-chlorophenol. Finally, a sensitive and simple voltammetric method was developed for the determination of 2-chlorophenol. The oxidation peak current increases linearly with the concentration in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁷–2.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹, and the detection limit is 4.0 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ for 2 min accumulation. The method was successfully used to determine 2-chlorophenol in waste water samples.     

Influence of hydrodynamic conditions of the solution on the sensitivity of stripping analysis of trace metals

Possibilities to increase the sensitivity of stripping analysis by optimising the hydrodynamic conditions of the solution during the deposition and rest period are evaluated. Rotation rates as high as 13 000 rpm can be applied during the deposition step at a mercury film rotating disc electrode for Zn, Cd, Pb, In and Tl determinations when 10–20 mg/l of Hg²⁺ for the renewal of the mercury film is added. Because of the extreme sensitivity on the properties of the mercury film in the case of Ga only 4000–5000 rpm are recommended. The highest stirring efficiencies using a magnetic stirrer are equivalent to 2500–3000 rpm when a rotating disc electrode is used. The effect of the duration of the rest period is not significant for square wave stripping voltammetry, however, analytical signals can be increased 10 and more times when potentiometric stripping analysis is applied.     

Determination of subnanomolar concentrations of cobalt by adsorptive stripping voltammetry at a bismuth film electrode

Procedures for trace cobalt determinations by adsorptive stripping voltammetry at in situ and ex situ plated bismuth film electrodes are presented. These exploit the enhancement of the cobalt peak obtained by using the Co(II)–dimethylglyoxime–cetyltrimethylammonium bromide–piperazine-N,N-bis(2-ethanesulfonic acid) system. The calibration graph for an accumulation time of 120 s was linear from 2 × 10^–10 to 2 × 10^–8 mol L^–1. The relative standard deviation from five determinations of cobalt at a concentration of 5 × 10^–9 mol L^–1 was 5.2%. The detection limit for an accumulation time of 300 s was 1.8 × 10^–11 mol L^–1. The proposed procedure was applied to cobalt determination in certified reference materials and in tap and river water samples.     

Surface-enhanced oxidation and detection of Sunset Yellow and Tartrazine using multi-walled carbon nanotubes film-modified electrode

The insoluble multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) was successfully dispersed into water in the presence of hydrophobic surfactant. After that, MWNT film-coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was achieved via dip-coating and evaporating water. Owing to huge surface area, high sorption capacity and subtle electronic properties, MWNT film exhibits highly efficient accumulation efficiency as well as considerable surface enhancement effects to Sunset Yellow and Tartrazine. As a result, the oxidation peak currents of Sunset Yellow and Tartrazine remarkably increase at the MWNT film-modified GCE. Based on this, a novel electrochemical method was developed for the simultaneous determination of Sunset Yellow and Tartrazine. The limits of detection are 10.0 ng mL⁻¹ (2.2 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹) and 0.1 μg mL⁻¹ (1.88 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹) for Sunset Yellow and Tartrazine. Finally, the proposed method was successfully used to detect Sunset Yellow and Tartrazine in soft drinks.     

Speciation analysis of mercury in water samples by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry after preconcentration with dithizone immobilized on microcrystalline naphthalene

Trace amounts of inorganic mercury (Hg²⁺) and methylmercury cations (MeHg²⁺) were adsorbed quantitatively from acidic aqueous solution onto a column packed with immobilized dithizone on microcrystalline naphthalene. The trapped mercury was eluted with 10 ml of 7 mol L^–1 hydrochloric acid solution. The Hg²⁺ was then directly reduced with tin (II) chloride, and volatilized mercury was determined by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS). Total mercury (Hgt) was determined after decomposition of MeHg⁺ into Hg²⁺. Hg²⁺ and MeHg⁺ cations were completely recovered from the water with a preconcentration factor of 200. The relative standard deviation obtained for eight replicate determinations at a concentration of 0.3 g L^–1 was 1.8%. The procedure was applied to analysis of water samples, and the accuracy was assessed via recovery experiment.     

Voltammetric determination of Cd2+ based on the bifunctionality of single-walled carbon nanotubes-Nafion film

In the presence of Nafion, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were easily dispersed into ethanol, resulting in a homogeneous SWNTs/Nafion suspension. After evaporating ethanol, a SWNTs/Nafion film with bifunctionality was constructed onto glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface. Attributing to the strong cation-exchange ability of Nafion and excellent properties of SWNTs, the SWNTs/Nafion film-coated GCE remarkably enhances the sensitivity of determination of Cd²⁺. Based on this, an electrochemical method was developed for the determination of trace levels of Cd²⁺ by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV). In pH 5.0 NaAc-HAc buffer, Cd²⁺ was firstly exchanged and adsorbed onto SWNTs/Nafion film surface, and then reduce at −1.10 V. During the positive potential sweep, reduced cadmium was oxidized, and a well-defined stripping peak appeared at −0.84 V, which can be used as analytical signal for Cd²⁺. The linear range is found to be from 4.0 × 10⁻⁸ to 4.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹, and the lowest detectable concentration is estimated to be 4.0 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹. Finally, this method was successfully employed to detect Cd²⁺ in water samples.     

Voltammetric study of glibenclamide at carbon paste and Sephadex-modified carbon paste electrodes

The oxidative behaviour of the antidiabetic agent glibenclamide on a bare carbon paste electrode (CPE) and a Sephadex-modified carbon paste electrode (SMCPE) was explored by cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The analysis procedure consisted of an open circuit accumulation step in stirred sample solution of Britton-Robinson buffer (0.04 mol L^–1, pH 2.0). This was followed by medium exchange to a clean solution of Britton-Robinson buffer (0.04 mol L^–1, pH 5.0), and subsequently an anodic potential scan was effected to obtain the voltammetric peak. The glibenclamide oxidation peak current obtained by DPV was proportional to the concentration of the glibenclamide in the range of 1.0×10^–9 mol L^–1 to 5.0×10^–8 mol L^–1 for 180 s accumulation time, with a detection limit of 4.0×10^–10 mol L^–1. A method was developed for the determination of glibenclamide in formulation and spiked human serum. Moreover, the proposed procedure was used to estimate the serum concentrations after oral administration of a 5 mg tablet of glibenclamide to three diabetic subjects.     

Electrochemical investigation of hymecromone at a multi-wall carbon nano-tube/cetyl pyridine bromine composite film electrode

A multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWNT)/cetyl pyridine bromine (CPB) composite film modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was developed for the electrochemical determination of hymecromone in phosphonate buffer. Electrochemical behaviour of hymecromone at the composite film electrode was investigated with voltammetry. Compared with an irreversible oxidation of hymecromone at the bare GCE, the oxidation peak current was enhanced greatly at the film electrode. Some parameters such as pH, scan rate, accumulation potential and accumulation time were optimized. Under optimal conditions, an oxidation peak at 0.82 V was employed to determine hymecromone electrochemically. A linearity between the oxidation peak current and the hymecromone concentration was obtained in the range of 3.0 × 10⁻⁷ − 2.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol 1⁻¹ with a detection limit of 8.0 × 10⁻⁸ mol 1⁻¹. The proposed procedure was successfully applied to assay hymecromone in pharmaceutical formulation with satisfactory results. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Sensitive Adsorption Stripping Voltammetric Determination of Reserpine by a Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes

Adsorption stripping voltammetry, a very sensitive electroanalytical method, was employed to determine reserpine, a kind of anti-hypertensive drug. In 0.1M phosphate buffer with a pH of 6.0, reserpine was accumulated at a multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNT)-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface under the condition of open-circuit. In the following anodic sweep from 0.20 to 1.00V, reserpine, adsorbed at the MWNT-modified GCE surface, was oxidized and yielded a sensitive oxidation peak at 0.64V. Due to its unique structure and extraordinary properties, MWNT shows a ten times higher accumulation efficiency toward reserpine, compared with a bare GCE. Hence, the amount of reserpine at the MWNT-modified GCE surface increases significantly, and finally the oxidation peak current improves greatly. The experimental conditions, such as supporting electrolyte, pH value, the amount of MWNT-DHP suspension, accumulation time and scan rate, were optimized for the measurement of reserpine, and a sensitive electroanalytical method was proposed for reserpine determination. The oxidation peak current varies linearly with the concentration of reserpine over the range of 2×10^–8 to 1×10^–5M, and the detection limit is 7.5×10^–9M after 4min open-circuit accumulation. The relative standard deviation at 1×10^–6M reserpine was about 4.7% (n=7), indicating excellent reproducibility. This new method was successfully demonstrated with reserpine injections and tablets.     

Electrochemical Study and Selective Determination of Dopamine at a Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotube-Nafion Film Coated Glassy Carbon Electrode

A homogeneous and stable suspension of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) was achieved by dispersing MWNT into 0.1% Nafion ethanol solution. A uniform MWNT-Nafion cast film was obtained over a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) via solvent evaporation. The electrochemical behavior of dopamine (DA) was examined, and a reversible two-electron redox reaction was observed. In comparison with the bare GCE and the Nafion-modified GCE, the MWNT-Nafion modified GCE shows obvious electrocatalytic activity towards DA. Moreover, the MWNT-Nafion film coated electrode exhibits excellent selectivity towards DA even in the presence of high concentrations of ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA). The oxidation peak current was proportional to the concentration of DA over the range of 1×10^–8 to 1×10^–5molL^–1, and a detection limit of 2.5×10^–9molL^–1 was obtained after 2min. of open-circuit accumulation. The dispersion and morphology of MWNT-Nafion film were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transfer (FT) IR spectra.     

Development of an acetylene black–dihexadecyl hydrogen phosphate composite-modified glassy-carbon electrode,and its application in the determination of lovastatin in dosage drug forms

An electrochemical method has been established for the determination of lovastatin (LV). It is based on the enhanced oxidation of lovastatin at a novel acetylene black–dihexadecyl hydrogen phosphate composite-modified glassy-carbon electrode (AB–DHP/GCE) in the presence of Triton X-100. This electrode was prepared by dispersion of acetylene black particles in an aqueous suspension of DHP and the formation of a stable film of the resulting AB–DHP composite on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). As a result of modification of the AB–DHP composite, the electrochemical response of lovastatin at GCE was apparently enhanced; this was apparent as amplification of the oxidation current and the negative shift of the oxidation potential. The oxidation current can be further increased in the presence of a trace amount of Triton X-100. The enhanced oxidation of lovastatin at AB–DHP/GCE was due to enlargement of the effective electrode area, catalysis of lovastatin oxidation by AB, and accumulation of lovastatin at the hydrophobic surface of the DHP layer, which would be enhanced by the coherence with Triton X-100. The effects of some working conditions on the oxidation current of lovastatin were tested and the calibration plot was examined. The result showed that the oxidation current was a linear function of lovastatin concentration in the range 2.5×10^–8–1.0×10^–6 mol L^–1 and a low detection limit of 4.0×10^–9 mol L^–1 was obtained under optimum conditions. This electrode system was applied to the determination of lovastatin in dosage drug forms and the results were in accordance with the ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy method.     

Thiol‐Functionalized Silica Thin Film Modified Electrode in Determination of Mercury Ions in Natural Water

The use of a thin thiol‐functionalized silica film modified glassy carbon electrode in the determination of Hg(II) ions in a natural water sample is described. A typical measurement involves two successive steps: a glassy carbon electrode coated with a thin mesoporous silica film containing 10% of mercaptopropyl groups, according to the MPTMS/TEOS ratio in the starting sol‐gel, was first immersed into the accumulation medium for 15 min, then removed, and finally transferred into a detection solution containing KCl 1.0 mol L^?1 where detection was performed by anodic stripping voltammetry. In this medium the previously accumulated Hg²⁺ species complexed by the thiol groups in an open circuit preconcentration step is then directly reduced at ?0.6 V during 60 s prior to be quantified by a differential pulse anodic scan from ?0.6 to 0.3 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). A stripping peak appeared at about ?0.01 V, which is directly proportional to the quantity of the analyte previously accumulated into the film. The best results were obtained under the following conditions: 100 mV pulse amplitude and 10 mV s^?1 scan rate in 1.0 mol L^?1 KCl solution pH 2.0. Using such parameters a linear dynamic range from 1.00 to 10.0×10^?8 mol L^?1 Hg(II) was observed with a limit of detection of 4.3 nmol L^?1 for an accumulation time of 15 min. Hg(II) spiked in a natural water sample was determined between 97.0 and 101.4% mean recovery at 10^?8 mol L^?1 level. The results indicate that this electrode is sensitive and selective for the Hg(II)determination.