Silver nanoparticles built-in chitosan modified glassy carbon electrode for anodic stripping analysis of As(III) and its removal from water

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) built-in chitosan (CT)-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) have been prepared for the detection of As(III) by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). The AgNPs/CT thin-film was characterized by FTIR, Uv-Vis, XRD, SEM, and TEM. It showed high sensitivity for detection of As(III) in water, because of unique three dimensional networks and strong adsorption ability. Designed nanostructured electrode displays wide linear range (10–100 ppb), high sensitivity (0.309 μA ppb−1) with 1.20 ppb (16.2 nM) detection limit. This is much less than arsenic level in drinking water (10 ppb) specified by World Health Organization (WHO). This novel electrode is indeed interesting for the determination of arsenic, especially in presence of Cu and other organics as it is very stable in presence of relatively large amount of surfactant and organic compounds. Report method suffers from As(V) interference but could be used to determine total arsenic after chemical reduction. Furthermore, diffusion of As(III) across AgNPs/CT membrane was explored. Thus, reported AgNPs/CT modified electrode and membrane provide a great opportunity for detection and removal of As(III) from water.

► Analysis of As(III) by AgNPs/CT modified electrode.
► Detection of As(III) with 1.20 ppb detection limit.
► Modified electrode for As(III) detection without interferences from Cu(II) and other organics.
► AgNPs/CT membrane for removal of As(III).