Diamond electrodes for trace alpha pollutant sequestration via covalent grafting of nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) ligand

•A straightforward method for NTA ligand covalent immobilization on BBD electrode was described.•This work also demonstrated for the first time that the BDD electrode could easily be functionalized using electrochemical oxidation of aromatic aminated compounds.•NTA functionalized surfaces exhibit a reversible actinide trace sequestration.

We describe a very simple and efficient route to functionalize boron-doped-diamond (BDD) electrodes with a chelating nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) ligand. The BDD electrode surface was first functionalized with a carboxylic acid group via electrochemical grafting of 4-aminophenylcarboxylic acid in aqueous solution and subsequently linked to NTA ligand via a coupling reaction with amine terminated NTA ligand in PBS solution (pH 7.5). Modified BBD surfaces were characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The present study has demonstrated that NTA functionalized BDD surfaces can successfully be used for reversible 241Am sequestration in aqueous solution.

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