Simultaneous electrochemical detection of Cd and Pb in aquatic samples via coupled graphene with brominated white polyaniline flakes

Abstract

Severe toxicity of heavy metal ions and their adverse effects on the ecosystem and health of living species raised a requirement to develop practical detection configurations capable of simultaneous and differentiable detection of toxic metal ions in aquatic samples. In this regard, we have fabricated a high-performance sensor configuration based on the integrated reduced graphene oxide (rGO) flakes with brominated white polyaniline (PANi) flakes toward the prompt and accurate detection of Pb (II) and Cd (II) in biological and non-biological specimens. The as-developed configuration simultaneously identified both Pb (II) and Cd (II) through a differentiable manner with a limit of detection (LOD)/quantification limit (QL) of 7.3 nM/85 nM and 6.5 nM/92 nM, respectively. The sensor also showed superior sensitivity of about 4547.77 and 3914.01 µA.µM−1.cm−2 toward Pb (II) and Cd (II), respectively, along with a favorable recovery rate in actual human blood plasma and wastewater samples. The as-developed complex proved to be an ideal platform for simultaneous detection/recovery of heavy metal ions in various aquatic samples.