https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2019.126632

Alam, A. U., Howlader, M. M., Hu, N. X., & Deen, M. J. (2019). Electrochemical sensing of lead in drinking water using ?-cyclodextrin-modified MWCNTs. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 296, 126632. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2019.126632

A simple, facile and low-cost modification of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) with β-cyclodextrin (βCD) through a physical (Phys) and a covalent approach via Steglich esterification (SE) is demonstrated for the detection of lead (Pb). The Pb sensing performance is governed by the amount of βCD present in the MWCNT-βCD matrix and the physical/chemical attachment of βCD with MWCNT. The physically modified MWCNT-βCD based electrode showed high sensitivity of 98 nA/ppb with a limit of detection of 0.9 ppb but poorer reliability, whereas the chemically modified MWCNT-βCD electrode results in moderate sensitivity of 38.6 nA/ppb and a limit of detection of 2.3 ppb. The modified sensors showed reproducibility of more than 90% and reusability of at least six times. The proposed sensors offer a promising technology in developing a highly affordable and sensitive electrochemical sensing system for monitoring the Pb level in drinking water.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2019.126632