Electrochemical sensor based on EDTA functionalized carbon nanotubes for anodic stripping determination of lead ions

A new electrochemical sensor for the determination of lead ions was fabricated by modifying glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with novel laboratory-produced nanomaterials synthesized by the silanization reaction between N-[(3-trimethoxysilyl) propyl] ethylenediamine triacetic acid trisodium (NTMP-EDTA) and hydroxyl functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-OH). The synergistic effect of the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and EDTA groups anchored on the surface of CNTs resulted in improved sensor performance toward the detection of trace lead ions. Under the optimal conditions, the anodic stripping currents of the sensor varied linearly with the concentration of lead ions from 2.0 to 470 mu g/L, with the detection limit estimated to 0.7 mu g/L. The sensor was also successfully used for the analysis of trace lead ions in real samples with good accuracy, sensitivity, selectivity, and recovery.