Determinations of trace lead in various natural samples by a novel active microband-electrode probe

• Published in: Chemical engineering journal (Lausanne, Switzerland : 1996) Switzerland : 1996), 2017-02, Vol.309, p.305-312
• Main Authors: Zhang, Wen, Xu, Yiwei, Tahir, Haroon E., Zou, Xiaobo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Active probe; Microband electrode; Natural sample; Trace lead
• ISSN: 1385-8947; 1873-3212
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2016.10.081

[Display omitted] •Active design is introduced for minimum electromagnetic interference.•Proposed method shows lower noise than conventional setups.•Active sensor is firstly used to detect Pb in various natural samples.•Detection limit of 0.06μgL−1 and range up to 150μgL−1 are well obtained. A novel active microband-electrode probe is introduced for determinations of trace lead in various natural samples. It integrates a micro electrode array (MEA) on a silicon substrate and a compact homemade potentiostat. On-chip microband gold electrodes, microband platinum electrodes and silver electrode compose a tri-electrode system. Homemade potentiostat performs cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse stripping voltammetry (DPSV) measurements, not requiring external commercial potentiostat analyzer. Performances of the as-fabricated sensor are validated in CVs and DPSVs. The sensor shows lower noise than traditional setups. Linearity is outstandingly established from 0.2μgL−1 to 150μgL−1, and detection limit reaches as low as 0.06μgL−1. Other analytical properties as accuracy, precision and selectivity are also well obtained. This sensor is extensively adopted to detect trace lead in natural water, soil and fish. Results meet certified method (graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometer, GF-AAS) well, and validate promising applicability of the proposed method in many environmental areas.