Disposable bismuth-based electrodes for heavy metal ion detection

Abstract

This work presents the efficacy of bismuth-based mixed oxide nanosructures for heavy metal ion detection. Four samples with varying proportions of Na3BiO4, Bi2O3 and Na2O were synthesized using potentiostatic electrodeposition. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicates the presence of poly-crystalline Na3BiO4 and Na2O in sample 1 while presence of poly-crystalline Na3BiO4 and Bi2O3 were seen in samples 2 and 3. Poly-crystalline Bi2O3 was seen in sample 4. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the presence of microplates of varying shapes and sizes with an average thickness < 1μm. Linear stripping voltammetry confirms that Sample 2 shows highest sensitivity towards detection of heavy metal ions.