Electrodeposition of Ag nanoparticles on graphenized pencil lead electrode as a sensitive and low-cost sensor for iodate determination

In this study, a simple, sensitive and low-cost iodate electrochemical sensor based on graphenized pencil lead electrode (GPLE) modified with Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) was presented. The GPLE was simply prepared via electrochemical exfoliation of pencil lead electrode (PLE) by applying an optimized potential in acidic media. Afterward, silver nanoparticles were electrochemically deposited on the surface of GPLE using chronoamperometry technique. The fabricated electrode was carefully characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Electrochemical behavior and also the electrocatalytic performance of the modified electrode toward the reduction of iodate were studied in details using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) techniques. The fabricated sensor responds efficiently to iodate over the concentration range of 0.05 to 75 mM with a detection limit of 0.017 mM and sensitivity of 0.26 µA µM−1 cm−2. Remarkably enhanced electrocatalytic performance of the modified electrode was ascribed to the synergistic effect of graphene-like nanostructures with high surface to volume ratio, excellent conductivity and also the excessive electrocatalytic behavior of silver nanoparticles. The modified electrode was successfully employed for the determination of iodate in table and sea salt samples.