Graphene Aerogel-Metal-Organic Framework-Based Electrochemical Method for Simultaneous Detection of Multiple Heavy-Metal Ions

Anal Chem. 2019 Jan 2;91(1):888-895. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b03764. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

Abstract

The development of an effective method for detecting heavy-metal ions remains a serious task because of their high toxicity to public health and environments. Herein, a new electrochemical method based on a graphene aerogel (GA) and metal-organic framework (MOF) composites was developed for simultaneous detection of multiple heavy-metal ions in aqueous solutions. The GA-MOF composites were synthesized via the in situ growth of the MOF UiO-66-NH2 crystal on the GA matrix. GA not only serves as the backbone for UiO-66-NH2 but also enhances the conductivity of the composites by accelerating the electron transfer in the matrix. UiO-66-NH2 worked as a binding site for heavy-metal ions because of the interaction between hydrophilic groups and metal cations. The detection performance of the GA-UiO-66-NH2 composite-modified electrodes was determined. The developed electrochemical method can be successfully applied for individual and simultaneous detection of heavy-metal ions, namely, Cd2+, Pb2+, Cu2+,and Hg2+, in aqueous solutions with high sensitivity and selectivity. The method can also be used for simultaneous detection of Cd2+, Pb2+, Cu2+, and Hg2+ in river water and the leaching solutions of soil and vegetable with high accuracy and reliability. This work provides a new approach for simultaneous detection of multiple heavy-metal ions in practical applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electrochemical Techniques*
  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Ions / analysis
  • Metal-Organic Frameworks / chemistry*
  • Metals, Heavy / analysis*
  • Particle Size
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Ions
  • Metal-Organic Frameworks
  • Metals, Heavy
  • Graphite