Voltammetric sensing of lead and cadmium using poly(4-azulen-1-yl-2,6-bis(2-thienyl)pyridine) complexing films

Complexing polymer-coated electrodes have been synthesized by oxidative electropolymerization of 4-azulen-1-yl-2,6-bis(2-thienyl)pyridine (monomer L). The novel chelating chemically modified electrodes were used for the electrochemical detection of Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions by means of the chemical preconcentration–anodic stripping technique. The electrode material showed a particular selectivity towards lead ions, even in the presence of a large excess of other metal cations. Detection limits of 0.7 nM and 10 nM were obtained for lead(II) and cadmium(II) ions, respectively. The modified electrodes have been used for the determination of lead in natural water and tap-water.

► Novel chelating building block based on polyazulene for metal ions electroanalysis.
► Electrochemical detection of Pb(II) and Cd(II).
► Selectivity towards Pb(II) ions.
► Low detection limits obtained for Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions.
► Real sample analysis.