Use of carbon nanotube electrode and square wave anodic stripping voltamme try for the detection of lead heavy metal

In this study, we investigate the use of new carbon nanotube paste electrode (CNPE) for promoting the detection of lead (Pb) heavy metal in the a drinkable water, which negatively affects human brain and nerve system. For the evaluations, CNPE is served as a working electrode, while sensitivity and limit of detection (LOD) of Pb are measured in DI and tap water based electrolytes using squarewave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). As a result of that, in the 25~150 ppb range of Pb²⁺ ions, its sensitivity and calculated LOD are 12.85 μA/μM and 26 ppb in DI water based 0.1 M H₂SO₄ electrolyte while they are 10.36 μA/μM and 38 ppb electrolytes respectively. In addition, experimentally measured LOD values of Pb are 4 ppb and 10 ppb in the two water electrolytes. The stripping of Pb²⁺ ion is also controlled by surface reaction. Our experimental data are then compared with those of other already published references. With the comparison, it is proved that our electrode outperforms other electrodes in terms of the sensitivity and LOD of trace Pb metal.