Abstract
Synthesis of carboxyl-functionalized MWCNT/poly(o-toluidine) nanowires (OH-MWCNT/POT NWs) was achieved through micro emulsion and in-situ oxidative polymerization methods. A mixture of dodecylbenzenesulfonic was used as microemulsion surfactant, while Na2S2O8 in HCl was utilized as an active oxidant. The structure, morphology, thermal, and sensing properties of the OH-MWCNT/POT NWs were analyzed in details. Then, the OH-MWCNT/POT NWs was utilized to develop an efficient cationic sensor by electrochemical method. A cationic sensor based on NCs for selective Ce3+ ions was prepared by coating of glassy carbon electrode (GCE). A thin-layer of the prepared OH-MWCNT/POT NWs was made with the help of 5% nafion as a conducting binder. The obtained calibration curve was found to be linear over the linear dynamic range (LDR) of 0.1 nM-0.01 mM. The sensitivity (47.0411 mu A.mu M-1.cm(-2)) to the Ce3+ cation was estimated from the slope of the calibration curve. The detection limit (96.03 +/- 4.80 pM) was also calculated from the calibration curve by considering the signal-to-noise ratio of 3. On a broad scale, this approach may introduce a highly efficient method for the detection of Ce3+ cations in toxic chemicals as well as environmental fields. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.