Preparation of polyacrylamide via surface-initiated electrochemical-mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-eATRP) for Pb2+ sensing

Abstract

Acrylamide polymer brushes (PAM) were prepared on the surface of Au electrode for Pb2+ ion sensing via surface-initiated electrochemical-mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-eATRP). The electrode modified with PAM (PAM/Au) was carefully examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), polarization modulation infrared reflection–absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Further, the PAM/Au electrode was successfully used for the determination of Pb2+ ion by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). Under the optimal conditions, the PAM/Au electrode showed a linear correlation for Pb2+ concentrations in the range of 3.0 × 10−3 to 2.0 × 103 μg/L. The limit of detection (S/N = 3.3) was estimated to be 3.7 × 10−4 μg/L. Finally, polymer brush electrodes were applied to analyze Pb2+ ion in an effluent. The results of the experiment indicated that PAM/Au electrode has good accuracy and potential application in practical sample analysis. In a word, the work of this paper established a useful way for the synthesis and application of polymer brush.