Detection of Cadmium using Conjugated Polymer Modified Electrodes

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe detection of heavy metals in subsurface strata currently requires tedious sampling procedures followed by laboratory analysis using techniques such as atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) or inductively couple plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). These techniques are extremely accurate and capable of detecting very low concentrations of metal ions. The main drawback of these techniques is that they are time consuming, expensive to perform and not portable. A portable sensor capable of detecting metals ion in solution is highly desirable. Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV) can be utilized as a reliable method for the trace detection of metal ions in water. In order to improve the sensitivity of the electrochemical sensor, conjugated polymer films can be coated on the surface of the glassy carbon working electrodes. Stable films of poly (3,4 ethylenedioxythiophene) [PEDOT] and polythiophene copolymer [PTCPTA] were electrochemically synthesized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode. These polymer modified electrodes were utilized for the detection of cadmium in water. The sensors are capable of detecting trace concentrations of cadmium approaching the maximum contamination limits imposed by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA).