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Tin nanoparticle-modified electrode for the simultaneous detection of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) ions

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Abstract

Heavy metals are toxic and persistent in the environment and can accumulate in the food chain and potential health hazards to humans and other living organisms. Exposure to heavy metals can cause a range of health effects, including neurological damage, developmental and reproductive problems, and increased risk of certain types of cancer. Thus, monitoring the levels of heavy metal ions in the environment is essential. In these studies, tin nanoparticles (SnNPs) were synthesized using the chemical reduction method to modify the electrode surface on an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode for heavy metal detection. Two approaches were used in synthesis of SnNPs: one with the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymers, namely, SnNP WPVP and the other was performed without a PVP polymer, namely, SnNP WOPVP. The modified electrode was subjected to cyclic voltammetry and square wave anodic stripping voltammetry. The electrode modified with Nafion/100 × SnNP WPVP/ITO showed good performance in the simultaneous detection of Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions and had a linear range of 10–100 ppb, and the low limits of detection for the simultaneous detection of Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions were 1.44 and 1.97 ppb, respectively. The sensitivity of the Nafion/100 × SnNP WPVP/ITO–modified electrode was 0.25 and 0.20 μA/ppb toward Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions, respectively. In the interference study, the modified electrode showed high selectivity towards Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions. The feasibility of using the modified electrode in detecting Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions was tested in a seawater sample. The successful detection of Pb2+ in seawater demonstrated the potential of the modified electrode as a heavy metal ions sensor.

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Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate the technical support provided by the staff of the School of Materials & Mineral Resources Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia. This study was supported by Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (Grant No. FRGS/1/2020/TK0/USM/01/1), Malaysia Tin Board (304.PBahan. 6050478.L114), and RU Top Down Universiti Sains Malaysia (1001/Pbahan/870049).

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  1. School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300, Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

    Nurul Hidayah Ramli, Ji Yu Loo, Noorhashimah Mohamad Nor & Khairunisak Abdul Razak

  2. Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), 11800, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

    Khairunisak Abdul Razak

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  1. Nurul Hidayah Ramli
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Ramli, N.H., Loo, J.Y., Mohamad Nor, N. et al. Tin nanoparticle-modified electrode for the simultaneous detection of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) ions. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 35, 73 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-023-11871-z

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