Gold-nanoparticle-embedded nafion composite modified on glassy carbon electrode for highly selective detection of arsenic(III)

A Cu(I)-ion-mediating Au reduction is proposed for preparing an Au-nanoparticle-embedded nafion (NF(Aunano)) composite. The NF(Aunano) composite consisted of highly dense, well-dispersed, and protecting-agent-free Au nanocrystals with a narrow particle size (4.8±0.1 nm) distribution. The NF(Aunano) composite was characterized as a function of composition and particle size distribution using powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and electrochemical measurements. It was demonstrated that the NF(Aunano) composite provided high activity in the redox behavior of As(III), and was used as a potential sensing material with low Au loading for As(III) detection. An NF(Aunano)-composite-modified electrode is easy to prepare and regenerate. The dynamic range of a calibration curve from 0.1 to 12.0 μg L−1 (from 1.3 to 160 nM), y=23.98x (in μA μM−1)+0.42 (R2=0.999), showed linear behavior with a slope of 23.98 μA μM−1. The detection limit is as low as 0.047 μg L−1 (0.63 nM). The chelating agent ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) can selectively chelate with interfering metal ions, forming bulky complexes or bulky anions that are excluded from the NF film. The presence of EDTA effectively eliminated interference from several metal ions, particularly Cu(II) and Hg(II), which are generally considered to be major interferents in the electroanalysis of As(III). This method was applicable to As(III) analysis in three real water samples, namely groundwater, lake, and drinking waters.