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A cathodic photoelectrochemical sensor for chromium(VI) based on the use of PbS quantum dot semiconductors on an ITO electrode

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Abstract

Under visible-light irradiation, a cathodic photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor is presented for highly sensitive determination of Cr(VI) at a potential of −0.25 V (vs SCE). PbS quantum dots (QDs) were capped with mercaptoacetic acid and assembled on the surface of an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode via the linker poly(diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride) providing a photoactive sensor. Cr(VI) accepts the photoelectrons generated by the PbS QDs. This promotes the separation of electron holes and enhances the cathodic photocurrent generated by a 470-nm LED. The sensor has 10 pM detection limit and a linear working range from 0.02 nM to 2 μM of chromate. The method was successfully applied to the determination of Cr(VI) and total chromium in spiked environmental water samples.

Schematic illustration of the photocurrent enhancement response of ITO/PbS toward chromium(VI). In the presence of Cr(VI) (red line), Cr(VI) accepts the photoelectrons generated by the PbS QDs under 470-nm LED irradiation, resulting in improved photocurrent of ITO/PbS.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 21475092) and the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions.

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  1. College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Material Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, People’s Republic of China

    Panpan Wang, Ling Cao, Ying Wu & Junwei Di

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  1. Panpan Wang
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  2. Ling Cao
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Correspondence to Junwei Di.

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Wang, P., Cao, L., Wu, Y. et al. A cathodic photoelectrochemical sensor for chromium(VI) based on the use of PbS quantum dot semiconductors on an ITO electrode. Microchim Acta 185, 356 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-018-2883-6

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