Determination of Pb2+ ions by square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry using silver nanoparticles grown on indium tin oxide substrate

Silver (Ag) nanoparticles with a pure face-centred cubic phase were grown on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate via the electrodeposition method. The products were characterised by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and X-ray diffraction. Ag nanoparticles deposited on the ITO substrate were first used as an electrode for the electrochemical analysis of lead ions. A linear response was observed for Pb2+ in the range of 0.1-8 mu M. The linear regression equation was I = 0.129 + 0.368C (unit of C is M) and the correlation coefficient was 0.9993. The detection limit was 70 nM Pb2+ (S/N = 3). The results open new possibilities for the fabrication of novel electrodes for the construction of simple, low-cost and reliable electrochemical sensors for the quantification of trace levels of Pb2+.