Novel Lu3+Carbon Paste Electrode Based on Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

A novel carbon paste ion selective electrode for determination of trace amount of lutetium was prepared. Modified (functionalized) multiwalled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) were used for improvement of a lutetium carbon paste sensor response. MWCNTs have a good conductivity which helps the transduction of the signal in carbon paste electrode. In this work it is shown that introducing certain functional groups on MWCNTs can improve the electrode signals. The electrode composition of 20 % paraffin oil, 56 % graphite powder, 18 % ionophore and 6 % f-MWCNTs showed the stable potential response to Lu3+ ions with the Nernstian slope of 21.1 (±0.3) mV decade−1 over a wide linear concentration range of 1.0×10−6–1.0×10−1 mol L−1. The electrode has fast response time (<15 s) and long term stability (about one month).