Development and characterisation of disposable gold electrodes, and their use for lead(II) analysis

Abstract

There is an increasing need to assess the harmful effects of heavy-metal-ion pollution on the environment. The ability to detect and measure toxic contaminants on site using simple, cost effective, and field-portable sensors is an important aspect of environmental protection and facilitating rapid decision making. A screen-printed gold sensor in a three-electrode configuration has been developed for analysis of lead(II) by square-wave stripping voltammetry (SWSV). The working electrode was fabricated with gold ink deposited by use of thick-film technology. Conditions affecting the lead stripping response were characterised and optimized. Experimental data indicated that chloride ions are important in lead deposition and subsequent analysis with this type of sensor. A linear concentration range of 10-50 microg L(-1) and 25-300 microg L(-1) with detection limits of 2 microg L(-1) and 5.8 microg L(-1) were obtained for lead(II) for measurement times of four and two minutes, respectively. The electrodes can be reused up to 20 times after cleaning with 0.5 mol L(-1) sulfuric acid. Interference of other metals with the response to lead were also examined to optimize the sensor response for analysis of environmental samples. The analytical utility of the sensor was demonstrated by applying the system to a variety of wastewater and soil sample extracts from polluted sites. The results are sufficient evidence of the feasibility of using these screen-printed gold electrodes for the determination of lead(II) in wastewater and soil extracts. For comparison purposes a mercury-film electrode and ICP-MS were used for validation.

Screen-printed electrodes for environmental monitoring of heavy metal ions: a review

“…limit of detection SWASV square wave anodic stripping voltammetry, DPASV differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry, MWCNT multiwalled carbon nanotubes, L.O.D. limit of detection been detected using electrodes such as gold SPEs [67][68][69] and gold film SPEs electrodes [70][71][72][73][74], gold sputtered [75] as well as hybrid carbon nanomaterials/gold nanoparticles modified electrodes [76] (Fig. 5).…”

Development of an Electrochemical Immunosensor for Fumonisins Detection in Foods

“…Screen-printed gold electrodes (SPGE) consisting of gold working electrode, carbon counter electrode and silver–silver chloride pseudo-reference electrode were fabricated using a procedure similar to that described in details by Noh and Tothill [37]. The electrodes used in this work were printed using the screen-printing facilities at DuPont Ltd. (Bristol, UK).…”

Lead ion sensor with electrodes modified by imidazole-functionalized polyaniline

“…Imine-bridged TTF-π-pyridine derivatives Pb(II) ng mL -1 range [22] Gold-coated screen-printed electrode with stripping potentiometry Pb(II) 0.1 ng mL −1 [23] Gold-coated screen-printed electrode Pb(II) 2 ng mL −1 [24] Carbon nanotubes and chitosan, this followed by adsorption of mercury. opening reaction takes place to form 2-(1-imidazoyl-2-hydroxy propyloxy) acetanilide (3).…”