Determination of Lead(II) Using Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Hexagonal Co3O4 Microparticles

In this study, cobaltosic oxide (Co3O4) was synthesized by a simple surfactant-free hydrothermal method. The as-prepared materials were characterized by scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction, indicating that Co3O4 is formed by stacked hexagonal microsheets. The as-obtained microsheet-stacked Co3O4 was drop-coated on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to allow the fabrication of electrochemical sensors for the detection of trace Pb2+ by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry. The proposed Co3O4/GCE sensors exhibited a linear correlation for Pb2+ concentration in the concentration range from 0.5 to 5 mu M, and the limit of detection was calculated as 1.18 x 10(-8) M (S/N=3). The results showed that the as-prepared Co(3)O(4)GCE sensor had good repeatability and sensitivity and the ability to effectively avoid the interference from Cd2+ and Hg2+. In addition, the method for the preparation of proposed sensor was simple and cost effective. Overall, this work provides a promising material for electrochemical detection of heavy metal ions in water.