SWASV performance toward heavy metal ions based on a high-activity and simple magnetic chitosan sensing nanomaterials

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2016-11, Vol.684, p.1-7
• Main Authors: Zhou, Shao-Feng, Han, Xiao-Juan, Liu, Ya-Qing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chelation; Chitosan; Detection; Electrochemical analysis; Electrochemical detection; Electrodes; Fe3O4; Heavy metal ions; Heavy metals; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2016.05.152

A high-activity, eco-friendly and inexpensive magnetic chitosan sensing nanomaterials were introduced for individual electrochemical detection toward Pb(II), Hg(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II) by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). The morphology and structure of Fe3O4-chitosan nanoparticles were characterized by TEM, XRD and FTIR respectively, and their electrochemical behavior based on the sensing materials modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was studied by cyclic voltammograms (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS). Serving as a heavy metal ions sensor, the chitosan magnetic nanoparticles exhibited much more remarkable electrochemical response toward heavy metal ions. Especially, the introduction of chitosan significantly enhanced the SWASV performance toward Pb(II) with the high sensitivity of 50.6 μA/μM and LOD of 0.0422 μM, which was about 4.8 times than pure Fe3O4 nanoparticles. This result might be due to the strong charge-transfer interaction as well as the chelation and electrostatic interaction existence between Pb(II) and Fe3O4-chitosan unit, which will generate a high concentration region at electrode surface for efficient redox interaction between electrode and Pb(II). Furthermore, the Fe3O4-chitosan modified GCE offers good stability and potential practical applicability in the electrochemical determination of Pb(II). This work provides a potential simple and low cost material for electrochemical detection of toxic metal ions. This is the first report involving high-activity, eco-friendly and inexpensive magnetic chitosan nanomaterials serving as electrochemical sensor for individual determination of heavy metal ion. [Display omitted] •Fe3O4-chitosan NPs were used to electrochemical detect heavy metal ions.•The sensing material is relatively simple with high response to heavy metal ions.•The modification of chitosan improves the response to Pb(II) 4.8 times than Fe3O4.•It offers good stability and practical applicability in detection of heavy metal ions.