The metal-organic framework supported gold nanoparticles as a highly sensitive platform for electrochemical detection of methyl mercury species in the aqueous environment

Yao Liu; Rohan Weerasooriya; Xing Chen

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128608

The metal-organic framework supported gold nanoparticles as a highly sensitive platform for electrochemical detection of methyl mercury species in the aqueous environment

J Hazard Mater. 2022 Jun 5:431:128608. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128608. Epub 2022 Mar 1.

Authors

Yao Liu¹, Rohan Weerasooriya², Xing Chen³

Affiliations

¹ Key Lab of Aerospace Structural Parts Forming Technology and Equipment of Anhui Province, Institute of Industry and Equipment Technology, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, PR China; School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, PR China.
² Key Lab of Aerospace Structural Parts Forming Technology and Equipment of Anhui Province, Institute of Industry and Equipment Technology, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, PR China.
³ Key Lab of Aerospace Structural Parts Forming Technology and Equipment of Anhui Province, Institute of Industry and Equipment Technology, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, PR China; School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, PR China; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, PR China. Electronic address: xingchen@hfut.edu.cn.

PMID: 35259698
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128608

Abstract

Mercury readily methylates to form extremely toxic methylmercury (CH₃Hg⁺) that seriously imparts central nervous systems' functionality in humans and animals. Therefore, the development of rapid CH₃Hg⁺ determination methods for the detection of environmentally relevant concentrations is a research priority. We developed an electrochemical technique to detect CH₃Hg⁺ with minimal sample preparations, cost-effectively. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesized on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in a facile way using potassium borohydride as a reductant. An electrochemical sensor was developed using Au nanoparticles and zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (Au/ZIF67) modified glassy carbon electrode (Au/ZIF67 GCE) for the determination of CH₃Hg⁺. The linear stripping current responses were ranging from 1 µg/L to 25 µg/L [CH₃Hg⁺], with 0.571 µA/µgL^-1 sensitivity and 0.05 µg/L detection limit. The outstanding performance of Au/ZIF67 modified GCE for CH₃Hg⁺ detection might be attributed to the unique hollow structure and active Co sites of the ZIF67 skeleton and catalytic activity of AuNPs. The new electrochemical sensor shows good stability and no interference by metal ions in the matrix. The Au/ZIF67 modified GCE sensor shows a good promise in detecting CH₃Hg⁺ in natural water.

Keywords: Au/ZIF-67; Electrochemical sensor, DPSV; Methylmercury.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Electrochemical Techniques / methods
Electrodes
Gold / chemistry
Limit of Detection
Mercury*
Metal Nanoparticles* / chemistry
Metal-Organic Frameworks* / chemistry
Methylmercury Compounds*
Water

Substances

Metal-Organic Frameworks
Methylmercury Compounds
Water
Gold
Mercury