1. A cathodic photoelectrochemical sensor for chromium(VI) based on the use of PbS quantum dot semiconductors on an ITO electrode.
- Author
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Wang, Panpan, Cao, Ling, Wu, Ying, and Di, Junwei
- Subjects
- *
ELECTROCHEMICAL electrodes , *PHOTOELECTROCHEMISTRY , *CHROMIUM , *QUANTUM dots , *SEMICONDUCTORS , *ELECTRODES , *PHOTOELECTRONS - 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.
[ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
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