An in situ photoelectrochemical determination of hydrogen sulfide through generation of CdS nanoclusters onto TiO2nanotubes

Abstract

A novel and facile photoelectrochemical method has been developed to detect H₂S in water samples with high sensitivity and selectivity. The protocol is based on the photocurrent generated by CdS nanoclusters which are deposited onto TiO₂ nanotubes exposing in CdSO₄ solution with the gradual addition of Na₂S, with low-cost, environment-friendly, theoretical and technical simplicity. The developed method shows a very broad linear range from 10⁻⁸ M to 10⁻³ M and a low detection limit of 0.31 nM (9.92 ppt), far lower than the ceiling value in drinking water provided by WHO. Furthermore, the present method has been applied for determination of H₂S in water samples. The concentrations of H₂S in water samples determined by the present method are in a good agreement with those monitored by traditional spectrophotometry.