New Prospects in the Electroanalysis of Heavy Metal Ions (Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu): Development and Application of Novel Electrode Surfaces

Abstract

The detection of toxic heavy metal ions, especially cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu), is a global problem due to ongoing pollution incidents and continuous anthropogenic and industrial activities. Therefore, it is important to develop effective detection techniques to determine the levels of pollution from heavy metal ions in various media. Electrochemical techniques, more specifically voltammetry, due to its properties, is a promising method for the simultaneous detection of heavy metal ions. This review examines the current trends related to electrode formation and analysis techniques used. In addition, there is a reference to advanced detection methods based on the nanoparticles that have been developed so far, as well as formation with bismuth and the emerging technique of screen-printed electrodes. Finally, the advantages of using these methods are highlighted, while a discussion is presented on the benefits arising from nanotechnology, as it gives researchers new ideas for integrating these technologies into devices that can be used anywhere at any time. Reference is also made to the speciation of metals and how it affects their toxicity, as it is an important subject of research.

Screen-Printed Sensors Modified with Nafion and Mesoporous Carbon for Electrochemical Detection of Lead in Blood

“…44,64,65 Additional examples in recent literature on Pb stripping have focused on environmental samples. 66,67 To evaluate the reproducibility and precision of the measurements, repeated SWASV was performed at 0.3 μg dL −1 and at 3 μg dL −1 of Pb using n = 10 different sensors, with 3 repetitions for each sensor. The overall reproducibility at both of the tested concentrations yielded an average coefficient of variation (CV) of 7.5 ± 1.8%.…”

“… 44 , 64 , 65 Additional examples in recent literature on Pb stripping have focused on environmental samples. 66 , 67 …”

Validation of modified electrode surfaces as Sensitive Analytical Tools in Soil Analysis; Detection of Total Concentration of Zn (II), Cd(II), Pb(II), Cu(II)/Cu (I) along with Handling Complicated Sample Matrices

“…Carbon electrodes mainly glassy carbon and carbon paste offer an important platform for the development of modified electrode surfaces based on bismuth film which restores the merits of mercury film excluding its toxicity. The unique character of bismuth film electrode allows its growing importance in its application in the chemical analysis [28] The purpose of this paper is to present a simple and easy-to-apply analytical method for the preparation of a glassy carbon electrode modified with bismuth film that can be used for the sensitive and selective simultaneous voltammetric determination of the total concentration of cadmium, lead, zinc, and copper in soil samples using square wave voltammetry. Moreoverin this work a electrochemical biosensor is being suggested in the differentiation in the behavior of Cu(I) as well as Cu(II) with double-stranded DNA which results in a sensitive and selective analytical tool for redox copper speciation in soil.…”

Electrochemical Sensors for Heavy Metal Ion Detection in Aqueous Medium: A Systematic Review

“…They are excellent for detecting a wide variety of targets, including biomolecules, chemicals, and environmental pollutants, because their tunable characteristics permit customization of the sensor’s response to stimuli . To enhance the sensitivity and selectivity of the HMI detection using electrochemical sensors, electrode modifiers made of nanocomposite materials are employed . Many electrochemical devices make use of screen printed electrodes (SPEs) which have paved the way for the transition from conventional laboratory analytical methods to portable low-cost sensors .…”