Membrane-based electrochemical device for monitoring nanowires in aqueous samples

We report a membrane-based electrochemical detection of nanowires in aqueous sample. A gold-coated membrane is used both as a membrane filter and a working electrode. Using filtration method, it is possible to concentrate silver and zinc oxide nanowires on the gold working electrode on top of the membrane and the nanowires on the electrode can be differentiated and quantified by differential pulse voltammetry. Moreover, the new method shows better reproducibility in comparison with conventional immersion method, without modification of electrode surface according to the nanomaterial to be detected.