PNNL

Abstract

A carbon paste electrode modified with nanostructured crypotomelane type manganese oxides was evaluated as new electrochemical sensor for the detection of heavy metal ions in aqueous media. The crypotomelane type manganese oxides are nanofibrous crystals with sub-nanometer tunnels which provide excellent sites for ion-exchanges. The adsorptive stripping voltammetry (ASV) technique involves preconcentration of the metal ions into nanostructured crypotomelane type manganese oxides under an open circuit, then electrolysis of the preconcentrated species, followed by a square-wave potential sweep towards positive values. Factors affecting the preconcentration process were investigated using lead ion as the model analyte. The voltammetric responses increased with the preconcentration time from 2 to 30 min, and also linearly with lead ion concentrations ranging from 50 to 1200 ppb. The detection limits of target metal ion were 10 ppb after 4 min preconcentration and improved to 1 ppb after 20 min preconcentration. The potential for simultaneous detection of copper, silver and lead is also discussed.