Facile Synthesis of Tungsten Carbide Nanosheets for Trace Level Detection of Toxic Mercury Ions in Biological and Contaminated Sewage Water Samples: An Electrocatalytic Approach

In this work, we describe a facile synthesis of tungsten carbide nanosheets (WC NSs) via hydrothermal approach, and various analytical and electrochemical techniques were used for its characterized. Mercury (Hg II) is one of the most toxic elements that directly and indirectly affects human health and the environment. The optimization condition such as various pHs toward Hg(II) detection was studied. Consequently, in this study, we offer a selective and pico-molar Hg(II) electrochemical sensor in biological and water samples by WC NS modified multi-conventional electrode at 0.16 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). TheWC NSs modified SPCE could sense the Hg(II) up 2 to 655 nM. L-1 with the detection limit is 0.18 nM. L-1. The attained detection limit was well below the guideline level of Hg(II) set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and World's Health Organization (WHO). Furthermore, the developed WC NSs modified SPCE selectively determined the Hg(II) in the presence of Cu(II), Pb(II), and Cd(II) as potentially interfering metal cations. The real sample analysis was displayed in human blood serum, fish extract and industrial wastewater samples and obtained results were compared with standard HPLC technique. (c) 2019 The Electrochemical Society.