Zero-valent iron nanomaterial Fe0@Fe2MnO4 for ultrasensitive electroanalysis of As(iii): Fe0 influenced surficial redox potential

Abstract

A novel zero-valent iron nanomaterial (Fe⁰@Fe₂MnO₄) was synthesized and achieved an ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of As(III). It was found that the enhanced sensitivity is attributed to the surficial catalytic redox couple Fe(II)/Fe(III) induced by Fe⁰ of Fe⁰@Fe₂MnO₄. Besides, the catalytic kinetics was modelled and simulated, and the strong influence of the oxidation potential of the catalytic redox species on sensitivity was revealed. By tailoring the surficial atomic and electronic structures of the material, the redox potential can be altered, which can be used for controlling the electro-sensitivity and selectivity in electroanalysis.