Reference measurements of cadmium and lead contents in candidates for new environmental certified materials by isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Preparation and performance study of rhodamine B naphthylamide, a fluorescent probe, for the detection of Fe3

Fe3+ is essential for humans, and its deficiency or excess can be harmful to human health; thus, it is crucial to detect Fe3+. Herein, a novel 1,8-naphthylimide rhodamine-based fluorescent probe (NA-RhBEA) was prepared from rhodamine B, anhydrous ethylenediamine, and 1,8-naphthoic anhydride. This fluorescent probe complexes Fe3+ with N and O on the carboxyl groups of its spironolactam structure and part of the 1,8-naphthalenedicarboxylic anhydride structure, which results in spironolactam ring-opening and fluorescence. NA-RhBEA has high selectivity for Fe3+ in ethanol/buffer solution (4 : 1, v/v), and fluorescence is detected at an excitation wavelength λEX = 500 nm, an absorption peak appears at 585 nm, and a significant color change appears. The effect of the fluorescence intensity of Fe3+ under a series of different concentration conditions was investigated, and it was concluded that the fluorescence intensity increased with increasing Fe3+ concentration in the range of 0-500 μmol, and its detection limit was 0.84 μmol L-1. In addition, we explored the detection ability of NA-RhBEA in solutions with different pH values, mixed metal ions, and different solvents, and the results showed that the fluorescent sensor also has good anti-interference properties and some practical applicability.

Optimization of [P6,6,6,14+]3[GdCl63-] magnetic ionic liquid assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction for selective and sensitive determination of cadmium in environmental water and food

A simple and green hydrophobic magnetic ionic-liquid assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (MIL-DLLME) was optimized for the determination of trace cadmium (Cd (II)) in environmental and food samples by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. To achieve selective and sensitive extraction of Cd (II), four MILs were prepared and tested. Extraction parameters of the MIL-DLLME including pH, type and volume of the MIL, type and volume of dispersive solvent, extraction cycle, ionic strength and sample volume were investigated in detail and optimized by Box-Behnken design. Under optimum conditions, matrix effect, recovery study, intra-day and inter-day precision were performed for the MIL-DLLM. The analytical characteristics such as limit of detection, limit of quantification and pre-concentration factor were 0.17, 0.56 and 125 ng mL-1, respectively. The validation of the MIL-DLLME was evaluated by analysis of reference materials. Moreover, the accuracy of the results in the analysis of real samples was evaluated by standard addition and quantitative recoveries (91 ± 5-101 ± 2%) were achieved. The results obtained in the analysis of both reference materials and real samples showed that the MIL-DLLME has a selective applicability for cadmium.

A Nanograss Boron and Nitrogen Co-Doped Diamond Sensor Produced via High-Temperature Annealing for the Detection of Cadmium Ions

The high-performance determination of heavy metal ions (Cd2+) in water sources is significant for the protection of public health and safety. We have developed a novel sensor of nanograss boron and nitrogen co-doped diamond (NGBND) to detect Cd2+ using a simple method without any masks or reactive ion etching. The NGBND electrode is constructed based on the co-doped diamond growth mode and the removal of the non-diamond carbon (NDC) from the NGBND/NDC composite. Both the enlarged surface area and enhanced electrochemical performance of the NGBND film are achievable. Scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) were used to characterize the NGBND electrodes. Furthermore, we used a finite element numerical method to research the current density near the tip of NGBND. The NGBND sensor exhibits significant advantages for detecting trace Cd2+ via DPASV. A broad linear range of 1 to 100 μg L-1 with a low detection limit of 0.28 μg L-1 was achieved. The successful application of this Cd2+ sensor indicates considerable promise for the sensitive detection of heavy metal ions.

A novel simultaneous isotope dilution strategy as a powerful tool in the two-track certification process of trace metal mass fractions: a case study of mercury, cadmium and lead in soil and sediment materials

An analytical methodology based on isotope dilution (ID) principles was developed to establish the reference procedure for the simultaneous assignation of aqua regia extractable and total mass fractions of Hg, Cd, and Pb in soil and sediment matrix samples. The 'twin sample-spike blends' were prepared under close to the exact matching conditions, resulting in almost identical mass ratios of the spike to the sample in the blends, which followed either the aqua regia extraction method or total digestion procedure. The isotope ratios in 'twin-blends' were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The two-track IDMS strategy proposed in this work was successfully applied to three certified reference materials (CRMs): ERM-CC141 loam soil, EnvCRM 03 soil, and MODAS-2 bottom sediment. This ensured an adequate method validation. For two CRMs (EnvCRM 03 and MODAS-2) it was found that the isotope ratio values in 'twin-blends' for Hg, Cd, and Pb were almost identical with a variability of less than 2.4%. This confirmed that there is no measurable difference between the aqua regia extractable and the total mass fractions within the uncertainty ranges. Therefore, aqua regia mass fractions assigned in this study were found to be equal to certified element contents. For ERM-CC141 loam soil, the Hg isotope ratio values measured in the 'twin-blends' were found to be identical within their measurement uncertainties, and thus, it was concluded that the aqua regia extractable Hg content is identical to the total Hg content. However, in the case of Cd and Pb isotope ratio values in 'twin-blends' varied around 24% or 16%, respectively and because this significant difference was noticed, for both elements it is necessary to calculate the aqua regia content and the total content separately. Because this significant difference was noticed for both elements, it is necessary to calculate the aqua regia content and the total content separately. A detailed comparison of the isotope ratio values between the 'twin-blends' provided unambiguous information about aqua regia extractability of metals and it is a strong indicator for making decisions related to the assignment of either a single mass fraction valid for both procedures or two separate element mass fraction values. To our knowledge and based on the relevant literature survey, this is a novel strategy based on IDMS, and such studies have not been undertaken and presented so far.

Microfluidic sensor integrated with nanochannel liquid conjunct Ag/AgCl reference electrode for trace Pb(II) measurement

Pollution due to heavy metals is becoming increasingly hazardous; therefore, demand for the large-scale deployment of sensor nodes for water quality monitoring has increased. The development of integrated and miniaturised sensors for detecting heavy metals is necessary. Herein, an integrated microfluidic sensor based on a "glass-silicon-glass" sandwich structure is proposed for Pb²⁺ detection. This micro-sensor consists of a nanochannel liquid conjunct Ag/AgCl reference electrode(RE), a working electrode with a three-dimensional Au micropillar array, and a detection chamber for sample measurement. The potential fluctuation of the RE in this sensor was only 0.62% over seven days, remaining relatively stable. Under optimal conditions, the limit of detection and sensitivity for lead were 0.13 μg L^-1 (S/N = 3) and 52.30 nA (μg L^-1)^-1, respectively. The linearity of the sensor for detecting lead was good in the concentration range of 0.50-150 μg L^-1 (R² = 0.9989). Moreover, the proposed microsensor showed high selectivity for Pb²⁺ and achieved sensitive detection of trace Pb²⁺ in different water samples. Therefore, this integrated and miniaturised sensor is a practical tool for trace lead detection, allowing the development of large scale sensor network for water monitoring.

Ammonium Pyrrolidine Dithiocarbamate-Modified CdTe/CdS Quantum Dots as a Turn-on Fluorescent Sensor for Detection of Trace Cadmium Ions

In this work, ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (APDC) was used as a surface etchant to modify CdTe/CdS core-shell quantum dots (QDs). The APDC etchant combines with the cadmium ions (Cd²⁺) on the surface of the QDs, resulting in the formation of surface holes. The formation of these holes changes the QD surface structure, which leads to fluorescence quenching of the QDs. Newly added Cd²⁺ can selectively recognize and combine with these holes; thus, the fluorescence intensity of the QDs can be restored. The linear response of this turn-on fluorescent sensor was found to be 0-100 μg/L and 100-600 μg/L under the determined optimal conditions, and its limit of detection (LOD) for Cd²⁺ was 2.642 μg/L (23.5 nmol/L).

Determination of Lead Elemental Concentration and Isotopic Ratios in Coal Ash and Coal Fly Ash Reference Materials Using Isotope Dilution Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry

The rapid expansion of coal-fired power plants around the world has produced a huge volume of toxic elements associated with combustion residues such as coal fly ash (CFA) and coal ash (CA), which pose great threats to the global environment. It is therefore crucial for environmental science to monitor the migration and emission pathway of toxic elements such as CFA and CA. Lead isotopes have proved to be powerful tracers capable of dealing with this issue. Unfortunately, up to now, few high precision lead isotope data of CFA and CA certified reference materials (CRMs) determined by using the double spike technique have been reported. Hence, to facilitate the application of lead isotopes in environmental science, it is indispensable and urgent to determine a suite of high precision Pb isotope ratios and Pb elemental contents for CFA and CA CRMs. Here, we measured lead isotope ratios from four CFA and CA CRMs using thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) combined with the 204Pb-207Pb double spike method. Lead isotope ratios values of CRMs (GBW11124, GBW08401, GBW11125d, and JCFA-1) covered wide variation ranges from 17.993 to 19.228 for 206Pb/204Pb, from 15.513 to 15.675 for 207Pb/204Pb, and from 38.184 to 39.067 for 208Pb/204Pb. Lead isotope ratios of these CRMs, except for GBW11124, show good external reproducibility (2 RSD, n = 8), which is better than 0.05% for 206Pb/204Pb and 207Pb/204Pb, 0.07% for 208Pb/204Pb, 0.04% for 206Pb/207Pb, and 0.05% for 208Pb/206Pb. The Pb concentrations of these CRMs were determined using 207Pb single spike method. The reproducibility (1 RSD, n = 4) of Pb elemental content was <0.60%. This indicates the distribution of Pb elements in these CRMs is homogeneous. With the exception of GBW11124, the suite of CRMs can be used for determining CFA and CA matrix composition for quality control of Pb isotope analyses.

Cold vapour matrix-independent generation and isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for reference measurements of Hg in marine environmental samples

The analytical procedure for reference measurements of Hg in marine environmental samples based on cold vapour generation (CVG) inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry (ICP-QMS) and isotope dilution calibration strategy (ID) is described in the present study. The procedure was applied on different matrices and varying mass fractions for mercury in oyster, marine sediment and costal seawater samples. The use of CVG for sample introduction resulted in sensitivity enhancement, reduction of blank levels, minimization of matrix interferences and the elimination of memory effects. The entire measurement process was described by mathematical equations, and all factors influencing the final results were systematically investigated. The expanded uncertainty on results was estimated following the ISO/Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement guidelines, and all major contributions were identified. Modelling of the entire measurement process and the use of primary method of measurements ID ICP-MS related obtained values for total mercury in different types of marine matrices to the international system of units SI. Obtained results for mercury mass fractions in biota and marine sediments were used as the International Atomic Energy Agency's  contribution in the certification campaigns for marine reference materials and were in excellent agreement with the assigned reference values.

Controllable synthesis of three-dimensional nitrogen-doped hierarchical porous carbon and its application in the detection of lead

In this study, gelatin-based microcapsules were first proposed as a carbon source for the synthesis of nitrogen-doped hierarchical porous carbon (N-HPC) via a facile one-pot high-temperature treatment. The morphologies of the microcapsules could be well controlled by adjusting the synthesis parameters; this ensured the repeatability of the calcined products. The as-prepared N-HPC possesses a favorable three-dimensional network structure and hierarchical porous structure. As a promising modified electrode, N-HPC displayed remarkably improved stability and sensitivity for lead ion (Pb²⁺) detection. Moreover, two factors are responsible for the good analytical performance: (i) the morphologies of the microcapsules are controllable and reproducible; this improves the detection stability; and (ii) the nitrogen atoms in the shells of the microcapsules can efficiently interact with Pb²⁺; this enhances the detection sensitivity. The influences of various experimental parameters, including the pH value of the supporting electrolyte, deposition potential and deposition time, on the stripping signal of Pb²⁺ were investigated. The method displayed a wide linear range of the Pb²⁺ concentration from 7 nM to 7000 nM with the detection limit of 1.44 nM under the optimized conditions. The modified electrode possessed high selectivity, which might be due to the high binding affinity of the NH₂ ^- groups to Pb²⁺. The developed method has been successfully applied to the detection of Pb²⁺ in actual water samples; this demonstrates that the N-HPC-based electrochemical sensors have prospective applications in the environmental monitoring of Pb²⁺.

A novel and ultrasensitive yellow to taupe brown colorimetric sensing and removal method for Hg(ii) based on the thermosensitive poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) stabilized silver nanoparticles

AgNP/PNIPAm was developed as a dual-functional colorimetric probe and removal system for Hg²⁺.