An engineered nanocomposite for sensitive and selective detection of mercury in environmental water samples

Bibliographic Information
Authors: Abdullah I.H.; Ahmed N.; Mohamed M.A.; Ragab F.M.A.; Abdel-Wareth M.T.A.; Allam N.K.
Journal: Analytical Methods
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
Publication Date: 2018
Volume / Issue: Volume 10 / Issue 21
Pages: 2526–2535
ISSN: 17599660
DOI: 10.1039/c8ay00618k
Scopus: View on Scopus
Document Type: Article
Authors and Affiliations
Abdullah I.H., Energy Materials Laboratory, School of Sciences and Engineering, American University in Cairo, New Cairo, 11835, Egypt, Department of Environmental Research and Medical Malacology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Ahmed N., Energy Materials Laboratory, School of Sciences and Engineering, American University in Cairo, New Cairo, 11835, Egypt; Mohamed M.A., Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, National Organization for Drug Control and Research (NODCAR), Giza, Egypt; Ragab F.M.A., Department of Environmental Research and Medical Malacology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Abdel-Wareth M.T.A., Department of Environmental Research and Medical Malacology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Allam N.K., Energy Materials Laboratory, School of Sciences and Engineering, American University in Cairo, New Cairo, 11835, Egypt
Abstract
We report on a novel carbon-based nanocomposite made of reduced graphene oxide/titania nanotubes (RGO/TNT) with excellent conductivity and absorptivity for the sensitive electrochemical determination of Hg(ii) as a water pollutant. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to characterize the morphological, structural, and electrochemical properties of the fabricated modifier. Square wave anodic stripping voltammetry was applied for the analytical measurements. The parameters influencing the peak current response were studied and optimized. The linear response of detection toward Hg(ii) was found to be in the range of 2.5 × 10-10-5 × 10-6 M with a high regression coefficient (0.999). The limit of detection was found to be 4 × 10-11 M. The investigated sensing platform was tested for Hg(ii) simultaneously in the presence of Cu(ii) and Mn(ii) and proved to have high sensitivity, selectivity, and reproducibility. Finally, the modified electrode was used for the trace level detection of Hg(ii) in real environmental water samples, showing promising results. ©2018 The Royal Society of Chemistry.
Keywords
Chemical detection; Copper compounds; Cyclic voltammetry; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; Field emission microscopes; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; Graphene; High resolution transmission electron microscopy; Manganese compounds; Nanocomposites; Scanning electron microscopy; Water pollution; Yarn; Electrochemical determination; Environmental water samples; Field emission scanning electron microscopy; Modified electrodes; Reduced graphene oxides; Regression coefficient; Square wave anodic stripping voltammetry; Trace-level detection; Mercury compounds
Citation Information
Scopus Citations: 24
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