High performance polyaniline/vanadyl phosphate (PANI–VOPO4) nano composite sheets prepared by exfoliation/intercalation method for sensing applications

Abstract

A new class novel polyaniline/vanadyl phosphate (PANI–VOPO4) composite was synthesized by exfoliation/intercalation method. The sol of polyaniline (PANI) into the gel of VOPO4 by ranging mixing volume ratios concentration of inorganic reactant with a fixed mixing volume ratios i.e.(1:1) of organic polymer. The physico-chemical characterization was carried out by SEM, XRD, FTIR, UV–vis and simultaneous TGA studies. The analytical utility of this membrane was established by employing it as a sensor in electrometric titrations. Lead (Pb2+) is a serious carcinogenic and one of the most toxic heavy metals presents in the environmental contaminants. PANI–VOPO4 onto flat-glassy carbon electrode (GCE; surface area: 0.0316cm−2) was fabricated with conducting coating agents to fabricate a sensitive and selective Pb2+ ions sensor in short response time in phosphate buffer phase. The fabricated cationic-sensor is exhibited higher sensitivity, large-dynamic concentration ranges, long-term stability, and improved electrochemical performances toward lead ions. The calibration plot is linear (r2=0.9798) over the large Pb2+ concentration ranges (2.0nM–2.0mM). The sensitivity and detection limit is ∼2.105μAmMcm−2 and ∼1.36±0.05nM (signal-to-noise ratio, at a SNR of 3) respectively. This novel effort is initiated a well-organize way of efficient cationic sensor development with conducting binder deposited GCE for toxic pollutants in environmental and health-care fields in large scales. Therefore, the PANI–VOPO4/GCE sensor offers a cost effective material that can be considered as a viable alternative for effectively detecting and removing toxic Pb2+ from water samples.