Voltammetric sensing of thallium at a carbon paste electrode modified with a crown ether

The determination of thallium in the environment: A review of conventional and advanced techniques and applications

Thallium (Tl) is a potential toxicity element that poses significant ecological and environmental risks. Recently, a substantial amount of Tl has been released into the environment through natural and human activities, which attracts increasing attention. The determination of this hazardous and trace element is crucial for controlling its pollution. This article summarizes the advancement and progress in optimizing Tl detection techniques, including atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), voltammetry, inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-based methods, spectrophotometry, and X-ray-based methods. Additionally, it introduces sampling and pretreatment methods such as diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT), liquid-liquid extraction, solid phase extraction, and cloud point extraction. Among these techniques, ICP-mass spectrometry (MS) is the preferred choice for Tl detection due to its high precision in determining Tl as well as its species and isotopic composition. Meanwhile, some new materials and agents are employed in detection. The application of novel work electrode materials and chromogenic agents is discussed. Emphasis is placed on reducing solvent consumption and utilizing pretreatment techniques such as ultrasound-assisted processes and functionalized magnetic particles. Most detection is performed in aqueous matrices, while X-ray-based methods applied to solid phases are summarized which provide non-destructive analysis. This work improves the understanding of Tl determination technology while serving as a valuable resource for researchers seeking appropriate analytical techniques.

Anodic Stripping Voltammetric Procedure of Thallium(I) Determination by Means of a Bismuth-Plated Gold-Based Microelectrode Array

This article presents a new working electrode based on a bismuth-plated, gold-based microelectrode array, which is suitable for determining thallium(I) species using anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV). It allowed a significant increase in the sensitivity as compared to other voltammetric sensors. The main experimental conditions and the instrumental parameters were optimized. A very good proportionality between the Tl(I) peak current and its concentration was evidenced in the range from 5 × 10-10 up to 5 × 10-7 mol L-1 (R = 0.9989) for 120 s of deposition and from 2 × 10-10 up to 2 × 10-7 mol L-1 (R = 0.9988) for 180 s. A limit of detection (LOD) of 8 × 10-11 mol L-1 for a deposition time of 180 s was calculated. The effects of interfering ions on the Tl(I) analytical signal were studied. The proposed method was applied for quantitative Tl(I) detection in water certified reference material TM 25.5 as well as in spiked real water samples, for which satisfactory recovery values between 98.7 and 101.8% were determined.

Application of BiNPs/MWCNTs-PDA/GC sensor to measurement of Tl (1) and Pb (II) using stripping voltammetry

Herein, simultaneous determination of Tl (1) and Pb (II) has been carried out at the surface of a modified glassy carbon electrode with polydopamine functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes- BiNPs nanocomposite (BiNPs/MWCNTs-PDA/GC) using square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) technique. The morphologies, composition and, electrochemical properties of the BiNPs/MWCNTs-PDA/GC were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transition electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and, SWASV. The parameters affecting the stripping current response were investigated and optimized. The large specific area of MWCNTs and good electro-conductibility of BiNPs causes the BiNPs/MWCNTs-PDA/GC electrode to exhibit an excellent electro-catalytic effect with good separation peaks for Tl and Pb oxidation compared to bare GCE under the optimal conditions. The proposed sensor showed wide leaner ranges from 0.4-100 ppb and 100-400 ppb for Tl (I) and Pb (II). Low detection limits of 0.04 ppb for Tl (I) and 0.07 ppb for Pb (II) were achieved. The efficiency of the electrode after thirty days of storage in ambient conditions without using it and also with the ability to reuse for 16 days did not decrease significantly. In addition, the modified electrode with simple preparation method showed good reproducibility, and high selectivity for measuring target ions. The method was successfully implemented for the simultaneous determination of Tl (I) and Pb (II) in tap, mineral and waste water samples with acceptable recovery (from 99.1-103.2 for Tl (I) and 98.4-100.4 for Pb (II)).

Construction of a Tl(I) voltammetric sensor based on ZIF-67 nanocrystals: optimization of operational conditions via response surface design

An electroanalytical sensor was constructed constituted on a carbon paste electrode (CPE) with a ZIF-67 modifier and devoted to the quantification of Tl(I). Several characterization tests including XRD, BET, FT-IR, SEM/EDS/mapping, TEM, impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were performed on the synthesized ZIF-67 nanocrystals and CPE matrix. Central composite design (CCD) was used to assess the impact of variables affecting the sensor response, including the weight percent of ZIF-67 (14%), the pH of the thallium accumulation solution (6.4), and accumulation time (315 s) as well as the accumulation potential (-1.2 V). The direct linear relationship between the sensor response and the concentration of Tl(I) is in the interval of 1.0×10^-10 to 5.0×10^-7 M (coefficient of determination = 0.9994). The detection limit is approximately 1.0 × 10^-11 M. The right selection of the MOF makes this sensor highly resistant to the interference of other ions. High selectivity against common interferences in the measurement of thallium (such as Pb(II) and Cd(II)) is an important feature of this sensor. To confirm the performance of the prepared sensor, the amount of thallium in the real sample was determined.

Mathematical Modelling of Biosensing Platforms Applied for Environmental Monitoring

In recent years, mathematical modelling has known an overwhelming integration in different scientific fields. In general, modelling is used to obtain new insights and achieve more quantitative and qualitative information about systems by programming language, manipulating matrices, creating algorithms and tracing functions and data. Researchers have been inspired by these techniques to explore several methods to solve many problems with high precision. In this direction, simulation and modelling have been employed for the development of sensitive and selective detection tools in different fields including environmental control. Emerging pollutants such as pesticides, heavy metals and pharmaceuticals are contaminating water resources, thus threatening wildlife. As a consequence, various biosensors using modelling have been reported in the literature for efficient environmental monitoring. In this review paper, the recent biosensors inspired by modelling and applied for environmental monitoring will be overviewed. Moreover, the level of success and the analytical performances of each modelling-biosensor will be discussed. Finally, current challenges in this field will be highlighted.

Selective Capture of Thallium and Cesium by a Cryptophane Soluble at Neutral pH

We report in this article the synthesis of an asymmetrical cryptophane derivative (possessing only C₃-symmetry) bearing three phenol groups and three other carboxylic acid functions, each of these groups on the aromatic rings. Thanks to isothermal titration calorimetry experiments, we show that this compound binds large monovalent cations, such as Cs⁺ and Tl⁺, with a binding constant significantly lower than its congeners bearing a larger number of phenol groups grafted on the benzene rings. However, higher selectivity for Cs⁺ and Tl⁺ was observed with this compound since it does not show any affinity for other alkali cations. More importantly, due to the greater solubility of this derivative in pure water, we show for the first time that effective thallium(I) complexation takes place at neutral pH. This result demonstrates that cryptophane derivatives decorated with a higher number of phenol groups are promising host molecules for removing traces of thallium(I) from aqueous phases at neutral pH or above.

Adsorptive removal of trace thallium(I) from wastewater: A review and new perspectives

Thallium is an emerging pollutant reported in wastewater along with the increasing mining and smelting of thallium-containing ores in recent years. The complete removal of Tl(I) from wastewater is of significant emergency due to its high toxicity and mobility, however, Tl(I) removal is always confronted with numerous technical difficulties because of the extremely low Tl(I) concentration in wastewater and the disturbances of many accompanying impurity ions. Adsorption is currently the most widely used method for Tl(I) removal on industrial scale and varied kinds of adsorbents such as Prussian blue analogues, biosorbents, and metal oxides have been developed. However, the adsorption process of Tl(I) is always affected by the co-existing cations, resulting in low Tl(I) removal efficiency. Recently, the development of a variety of novel adsorbents or ion sensors based on macrocyclic compounds for enrichment and accurate determination of trace Tl(I) in aqueous solutions exhibits great potential for application in Tl(I) removal from wastewater with high selectivity and process efficiency. This paper provides an overview of the adsorption methods for Tl(I) removal from wastewater with emphasis on complexation properties between varied types of adsorbents and Tl(I). Future directions of research and development of adsorptive Tl(I) removal from industrial wastewater are proposed.

Developments and applications of nanomaterial-based carbon paste electrodes

This review summarizes the progress that has been made in the past ten years in the field of electrochemical sensing using nanomaterial-based carbon paste electrodes. Following an introduction into the field, a first large section covers sensors for biological species and pharmaceutical compounds (with subsections on sensors for antioxidants, catecholamines and amino acids). The next section covers sensors for environmental pollutants (with subsections on sensors for pesticides and heavy metal ions). Several tables are presented that give an overview on the wealth of methods (differential pulse voltammetry, square wave voltammetry, amperometry, etc.) and different nanomaterials available. A concluding section summarizes the status, addresses future challenges, and gives an outlook on potential trends.

This review summarizes the progress that has been made in the past ten years in the field of electrochemical sensing using nanomaterial-based carbon paste electrodes.

Integrated three-electrode screen-printed sensor modified with bismuth film for voltammetric determination of thallium(I) at the ultratrace level

In the present paper, for the first time, the integrated three-electrode screen-printed sensor with in situ plated bismuth film carbon working electrode was applied for the ultratrace determination of thallium(I) (Tl(I)). Under optimized conditions extremely low limits of detection were reached, 8.47 × 10^-10 and 6.71 × 10^-12 mol L^-1 for the deposition times of 60 s and 300 s, respectively. The influences of foreign metal ions and surfactants on the voltammetric signal of thallium in natural samples were minimized using 1 × 10^-5 mol L^-1 EDTA and Amberlite XAD-7 resin added to the buffer solution (CH₃COONH₄, CH₃COOH and NH₄Cl) of pH = 4.6 ± 0.1. The developed voltammetric method with integrated three-electrode screen-printed sensor was validated with use of certified reference materials (surface, rain and natural water) and can be in future applied to field analyses of Tl(I).

Simultaneous column preconcentration of ultra trace amounts of heavy metals with nano-adsorbent in some environmental and biological samples

In the present investigation, multi-walled carbon nanotubes impregnated by 1,4,10,13-tetraoxa-7,16-diazacyclooctadecane were prepared and applied as adsorbent for the simultaneous separation of Bi(III), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions prior to their determination by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The following analytical figures of merit were determined for bismuth, copper, cadmium and lead, respectively: enrichment factors of 168, 134, 111 and 146, assay precisions of ±4.6%, ±4.8%, ±5.3% and ±5.0% and detection limits of 11.3, 3.7, 0.5 and 0.3 ng L(-1). The method was successfully applied for the determination of heavy metals in environmental, biological and certified reference materials.

Synthesis and application of nano-sized ionic imprinted polymer for the selective voltammetric determination of thallium

A simple and selective thallium imprinted polymer was synthesized as a chemical modifier for the stripping voltammetric determination of Tl ions. The polymerization process (bulk polymerization) was performed with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (crosslinking monomer) and methacrylic acid (functional monomer) in the presence of 2,2'-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (initiator). The electrochemical method was based on the accumulation of thallium ions at the surface of a modified carbon paste electrode with Tl imprinted polymer and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. After preconcentration process, the voltammetric measurements were carried out via electrolysis of the accumulated Tl ions in a closed circuit. Under the optimized conditions, a linear response range from 3.0 to 240 ng mL(-1) was obtained. The detection limit and RSD (100.0 ng mL(-1) of Tl) were calculated as 0.76 ng mL(-1) and ±2.7%, respectively. The suggested modified electrode has good characteristics such as excellent selectivity, high sensitivity and suitable stability. Also, it was successfully applied for the electrochemical determination of trace amounts of Tl in the environmental and biological samples.

Electrochemical Deposition and Dissolution of Thallium from Sulfate Solutions

The electrochemical behavior of thallium was studied on glassy carbon electrodes in sulfate solutions. Cyclic voltammetry was used to study the kinetics of the electrode processes and to determine the nature of the limiting step of the cathodic reduction of thallium ions. According to the dependence of current on stirring rate and scan rate, this process is diffusion limited. Chronocoulometry showed that the electrodeposition can be performed with a current efficiency of up to 96% in the absence of oxygen.