Kelp-Derived Activated Porous Carbon for the Detection of Heavy Metal Ions via Square Wave Anodic Stripping Voltammetry

Abstract

Biomass-derived porous carbon materials with environmental adaptability and superior specific surface area have become one of the most promising materials in 21st era, especially in the electrochemical application. Herein, we proposed a kelp-derived carbon material (KPC) with a unique highly disordered graphite layer structure as an outstanding sensor via facile KOH activation method. The BET adsorption-desorption isotherm of KPC shows a typical IUPAC I type, and KPC possesses a high specific surface area with 2064 m2 g−1. Morphology observation and pore size analysis indicate that its porous-rich structure comprises countless micropores and mesopores. This unique structure of KPC not only provides massive active sites but exhibits high sensitivity in the detection of heavy metal by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV), with Pb2+ at 53.4 μA μM−1 and Cd2+ at 26.5 μA μM−1 in simultaneous detection. This study reports a new strategy for the detection of heavy metal ions using porous metal-free carbon materials.