Direct detection of Pb2+ and Cd2+ in juice and beverage samples using PDMS modified nanochannels electrochemical sensors

Direct electrochemical detection in real food samples remains challenging due to the fouling and interference by abundant interference components. Herein, we report an electrochemical sensing platform based on binary assembly of silica nanochannels and polydimethylsiloxane that is able to detect Pb2+ and Cd2+ in real food samples without complex pretreatments. Using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry, the electrochemical detection consists of electro-deposition of metal species and subsequent anodic stripping in the modified silica-nanochannels. Under the optimized conditions, the linear ranges were obtained from 4 to 1500 mu g L-1 for Pb2+ and 30 to 900 mu g L-1 for Cd2+. The relative standard deviations were 2.9% and 3.6% for Pb2+ and Cd2+ of 300 mu g L-1. Without tedious pretreatments, the quantitative detection of Pb2+ and Cd2+ in real juice and beverage samples was successfully performed, revealing that the developed sensor possesses excellent anti-interference and practicability properties for unprocessed food.

Automated summary

An electrochemical sensing platform based on binary assembly of silica nanochannels and polydimethylsiloxane was developed for the direct detection of Pb2+ and Cd2+ in real food samples. The sensor showed excellent anti-interference and practicability properties for unprocessed food, with linear ranges from 4 to 1500 µg/L for Pb2+ and 30 to 900 µg/L for Cd2+.