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Colorimetric detection of chromium(VI) using graphene oxide nanoparticles acting as a peroxidase mimetic catalyst and 8-hydroxyquinoline as an inhibitor

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Abstract

A method is described for the colorimetric determination of chromate [chromium(VI)]. It is based on the use of graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles acting as a peroxidase mimic. A blue color is generated by oxidation of 3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine by H2O2 which is catalyzed by GO. This color-forming reaction is prevented in the presence of 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ). However, in the presence of Cr(VI), the blue color will be formed from TMB owing to the oxidation of the inhibitor 8-HQ by Cr(VI). The color can be measured by a spectrophotometry (at 652 nm) or detected visually. Under optimal experimental conditions, response is linear in the 50 to 430 nM range of chromate concentration, and the limit of detection is 5.8 nM (at S/N = 3). The assay is highly selective and was successfully applied to the determination of Cr(VI) in spiked water samples.

Schematic of the colorimetric assay for Cr(VI). TMB: 3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (NRF-2017R1D1A3B03035530 and NRF-2017R1A2B4006388).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Changwon National University, Changwon, 51140, Republic of Korea

    Nguyen Ngoc Nghia, Bui The Huy & Yong-Ill Lee

  2. Institute for Research & Development, Duy Tan University, 3 Quang Trung, Danang, Vietnam

    Bui The Huy

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  1. Nguyen Ngoc Nghia
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Nghia, N.N., Huy, B.T. & Lee, YI. Colorimetric detection of chromium(VI) using graphene oxide nanoparticles acting as a peroxidase mimetic catalyst and 8-hydroxyquinoline as an inhibitor. Microchim Acta 186, 36 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-018-3169-8

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