Acid-etched Fe/Fe2O3 nanoparticles encapsulated into carbon cloth as a novel voltammetric sensor for the simultaneous detection of Cd2+ and Pb2

A portable electrode with usability, availability, and high-sensitivity is of great significance for effective on-site detection in practical situations. In this paper, a novel flexible, disposable sensor for Cd2+ and Pb2+ with ultrahigh sensitivity and a fast response, based on acid-etched Fe/Fe2O3 encapsulated into a disposable carbon cloth electrode, has been successfully fabricated. Differential pulse anode stripping voltammetry (DPASV) was used to investigate the stripping behavior of Cd2+ and Pb2+, achieving high sensitivity for Cd2+ and Pb2+ (338.7 and 408.0 mu A mM(-1) cm(-2)) with limits of detection (LODs) of 0.42 ppb and 0.50 ppb, respectively. Meanwhile, remarkable stability and reproducibility were obtained. Such an electrode can detect Cd2+ and Pb2+ in actual water samples so this is a good candidate to act as a simple and convenient sensor for general applications. More importantly, the novel disposable electrode exhibited the unique advantages of convenience, portability, and reliability compared to a conventional electrode, which may make it an alternative advantageous choice for practical on-site detection.

Automated summary

A novel disposable sensor with high sensitivity and fast response for detecting Cd2+ and Pb2+ in actual samples has been successfully fabricated and demonstrated to have good stability and reproducibility. Compared to traditional electrodes, this disposable electrode offers better portability and reliability, making it an advantageous choice for practical on-site detection.