Simultaneous electro-determination of trace copper, lead, and cadmium in tap water by using silver nanoparticles and graphene nanoplates as nanocomposite modified graphite electrode

Abstract

This study provides a sensitive platform based on silver nanoparticles/graphene nanoplates modified graphite electrode (AgNPs/GrNPs/GE) for the simultaneous and selective voltammetric determination of heavy metal ions in tap water, including such Cd (II), Cu (II), and Pb (II). The as-prepared graphite electrodes were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) experiments. Furthermore, square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) was performed to determine the cations mentioned above on the AgNPs/GrNPs/GE surface. Moreover, experimental parameters affecting the simultaneous determination of target metal ions were thoroughly tuned and optimized. When the suggested electrochemical sensor was performed under optimal conditions, detection limits of 5.0, 4.1, and 1.0 ng L−1 were obtained for Cd (II), Cu (II), and Pb (II), respectively. The electrode could also detect Zn (II) and Hg (II), around −1.13 and +0.05 V, respectively. The results revealed that the developed electrochemical sensor has high practical applicability, reproducibility and stability in detecting heavy metal ions.