Heavy metal sensing in plant and soil solutions using carbon fiber electrode

Analysis of trace level metals in environmental samples (e.g., soil, water, and plant samples) is important for assessing environmental quality and food safety. This paper reports a non-toxic, eco-friendly, and cost-effective sensing method, capable of in -situ detection of microgram per liter ( mu g/L) levels of heavy metal ions in plant and soil solutions using carbon fiber electrodes (CFEs) produced without using any microfabrication. The electrochemical behaviors of the CFEs were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. As proof of principle, the CFEs were validated for sensing selected heavy metals in buffer solutions as well as in extracted plant and soil solutions using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DP -ASV). Experimental results confirm that the CFEs were able to simultaneously measure cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) with a detection limit of 2.10, 0.93, and 1.85 mu g/L respectively in buffer solution, showcasing good selectivity and sensitivity. The ideal pH range for heavy metal detection was also extensively investigated and was found to be between pH 4.0 and pH 5.0. These findings lay a better foundation towards long-term and stable electrochemical analysis for plant and soil solution matrices.