Chemically modified carbon paste electrode for the detection of lead, cadmium and zinc ions

Purpose - This paper aims to develop an inexpensive, portable, sensitive and environmentally friendly electrochemical sensor to quantify trace metals. Design/methodology/approach - A sensor was constructed by modifying carbon paste electrode for the determination of lead, cadmium and zinc ions using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). The modified electrode was prepared by inserting homogeneous mixture of 2- hydroxy-acetophenonethiosemicarbazone, graphite powder and mineral oil. Various important parameters controlling the performance of the sensor were investigated and optimized. Electrochemical behavior of modified electrode was characterized by cyclic voltammetry. Findings - Modified carbon pastes electrodes showed three distinct peaks at -0.50, -0.76 and -1.02 V vs silver/silver chloride corresponding to the oxidation of lead, cadmium and zinc ions at the electrode surface, respectively. The highest peak currents for all the metal ions under study were observed in the phosphate buffer solution at pH 1 with a deposition time of 70 s. The sensor exhibited linear behavior in the range of 0.25-12.5 mu g mL(-1) for lead and cadmium and 0.25-10.0 mu g mL(-1) for zinc. The limit of detection was calculated as 78.81, 96.17 and 91.88 ng mL(-1) for Pb2+, Cd2+ and Zn2+, respectively. The modified electrode exhibited good stability and repeatability. Originality/value - A chemically modified electrode with Schiff base was applied to determine the content of cadmium, lead and zinc ions in aqueous solutions using SWASV.