Zr/ZrO2 nanotube electrode for detection of heavy metal ions

Abstract

An integrated system for photo-accumulation (photoreduction) and sensing, based on a Zr/ZrO2 electrode, has been developed for the detection of trace heavy metals. The nanostructuring of the Zr/ZrO2 electrode was achieved by anodizing, which produced a nanotubular structure. Solutions containing Cd(II), Pb(II), Cu(II) and Hg(II) were used for analysis. Linear calibration plots were obtained in the concentration ranges from 8 × 10−8 to 10−5 M for Pb(II), 5 × 10−8 to 2 × 10−6 M for Cu(II) and 4 × 10−8 to 10−5 M for Hg(II).