TY - JOUR

T1 - Eco-friendly voltammetric platform for trace metal determination using a conductive polymer sensor modified with bismuth nanoparticles generated by spark discharge

AU - Karapa, Alexandra

AU - Kokkinos, Christos

AU - Fielden, Peter R.

AU - Baldock, Sara J.

AU - Goddard, Nickolas J.

AU - Economou, Anastasios

AU - Prodromidis, Mamas I.

PY - 2023/10/31

Y1 - 2023/10/31

N2 - The fabrication of a low-cost eco-friendly sensor platform for the voltammetric determination of trace metals by electrochemical stripping analysis is reported. Plastic conductive electrodes were manufactured via injection moulding from polysterene reinforced with carbon fibres. The platform comprises a carbon counter electrode, a working electrode modified with bismuth nanoparticles generated by spark discharge and a reference electrode coated with AgCl. The sensor fabrication and modification procedures are simple, cost-effective and fast while the materials used are environment-friendly. The utility of the voltammetric platform is demonstrated for stripping analysis of Cd(II) and Pb(II); the limits of detection are 0.7 μg L−1 and 0.6 μg L−1, respectively (with a deposition time of 240 s) which are comparable to conventional Bi-modified sensors and are sufficient to determine the target metals in water and food samples. The scope of the analytical platform for multi-element assays and for the determination of other trace metals is discussed with representative examples. Therefore, this sustainable and economical platform holds great potential for electrochemical sensing of trace metals. Graphical abstract:

AB - The fabrication of a low-cost eco-friendly sensor platform for the voltammetric determination of trace metals by electrochemical stripping analysis is reported. Plastic conductive electrodes were manufactured via injection moulding from polysterene reinforced with carbon fibres. The platform comprises a carbon counter electrode, a working electrode modified with bismuth nanoparticles generated by spark discharge and a reference electrode coated with AgCl. The sensor fabrication and modification procedures are simple, cost-effective and fast while the materials used are environment-friendly. The utility of the voltammetric platform is demonstrated for stripping analysis of Cd(II) and Pb(II); the limits of detection are 0.7 μg L−1 and 0.6 μg L−1, respectively (with a deposition time of 240 s) which are comparable to conventional Bi-modified sensors and are sufficient to determine the target metals in water and food samples. The scope of the analytical platform for multi-element assays and for the determination of other trace metals is discussed with representative examples. Therefore, this sustainable and economical platform holds great potential for electrochemical sensing of trace metals. Graphical abstract:

KW - Electrochemical stripping analysis

KW - Spark discharge

KW - Trace metals

KW - Bismuth nanoparticles

KW - Injection moulding

U2 - 10.1007/s00604-023-05929-2

DO - 10.1007/s00604-023-05929-2

M3 - Journal article

VL - 190

JO - Microchimica Acta

JF - Microchimica Acta

SN - 0026-3672

IS - 10

M1 - 376

ER -