A highly selective voltammetric sensor for sub-nanomolar detection of lead ions using a carbon paste electrode impregnated with novel ion imprinted polymeric nanobeads

This work reports the preparation of a voltammetric sensor for selective recognition and sensitive determination of lead ions using a carbon paste electrode (CPE) impregnated with novel Pb2+-ion imprinted polymeric nanobeads (IIP) based on dithizone, as a suitable ligand for complex formation with Pb2+ ions. The differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetric technique was employed to investigate the performance of the prepared IIP-CPE for determination of hazardous lead ions. The designed modified electrode was revealed linear responses in the ranges of 3.0 × 10−10 - 1.0 × 10−9 mol dm−3 and 1.0 × 10−8 - 1.0 × 10−6 mol dm−3 with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.0 × 10−10 mol dm−3 (S/N =3). It was found that the peak currents of the modified electrode for Pb2+ ions were at maximum value in acetate buffer of pH 4.0. The optimized preconcentration potential and accumulation time were to be -1.0 V and 25 s, respectively. The applicability of the proposed sensor to lead determination in tap water and lipstick samples are reported.