Improved sensitive detection of Pb2+ and Cd2+ in water samples at electrodeposited silver nanonuts on a glassy carbon electrode

Abstract

Silver nanonuts (AgNns) with controlled size were electrodeposited on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface using a double pulse potentiostatic technique for simultaneous detection of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ in water samples without removal of oxygen, surfactant and other metal ions. The AgNns decorated GCE electrode showed improved sensitivity and reproducibility in comparison with previously reported electrodes. The detection limits were 0.15 ppb and 0.10 ppb for Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺, respectively. Finally, the practical application of the proposed method was verified in waste water samples taken from the Alang ship breaking yard located in Gujarat (India).