A robust and highly sensitive electrochemical probe for detection of trace levels of NH3/NH4+ in water based on Berthelot's reaction

IF 5.4 Q1 CHEMISTRY, ANALYTICAL

Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI:10.1016/j.sbsr.2025.100760

H. Alwael , A.S. Alharthi , A. Alsolami , M. Oubaha , B. Duffy , R.M. Elshafey , M.S. El-Shahawi

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Traditional spectrochemical methods for quantifying NH₃/NH₄⁺ based on the colored oxidation product of Berthelot or Nessler reactions, face challenges due to spectral overlap, auto-self absorbance, background scattering noise and high limits of detection. Thus, the current study introduces a new electrochemical sensing platform utilizing an ex-situ Bi film-plated glassy carbon electrode (BiF/GCE) combined with Berthelot's reaction for detecting trace levels of NH₃/NH₄⁺ in water. The primary advantage of Bi as a surface modifier of GCE is its ability to provide a selective and explicit probe for NH₃/NH₄⁺ detection at trace levels. This platform employs an ex-situ BiF/GCE, square wave-adsorptive anodic stripping voltammetry (Ads SW-ASV), and the oxidation product of Berthelot's reaction for precise indirect detection of NH₃/NH₄⁺ in aqueous solutions at pH 10–11. The probe demonstrated excellent electrochemical performance for NH₃/NH₄⁺ detection over a concentration range of 3.2 nM to 20.0 μM, with detection and quantitation limits of 0.95 and 3.2 nM, respectively. It showed good selectivity towards detection of NH₃/NH₄⁺ in water with favorable repeatability (RSD = ±3.2 %) and reproducibility (RSD = ±4.1 %). The probe's measurements were validated against standard ion chromatography (IC) and microspectrophotometry methods, demonstrating high reliability for detecting NH₃/NH₄⁺ in environmental and Red Sea water samples. This assay is precise and versatile for ammonia detection, enabling measurement of trace levels of N-containing organic compounds in foodstuffs and their degradation products.

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来源期刊

Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research Engineering-Electrical and Electronic Engineering

CiteScore

10.70

自引率

3.80%

发文量

审稿时长

87 days

期刊介绍： Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research is an open access journal dedicated to the research, design, development, and application of bio-sensing and sensing technologies. The editors will accept research papers, reviews, field trials, and validation studies that are of significant relevance. These submissions should describe new concepts, enhance understanding of the field, or offer insights into the practical application, manufacturing, and commercialization of bio-sensing and sensing technologies. The journal covers a wide range of topics, including sensing principles and mechanisms, new materials development for transducers and recognition components, fabrication technology, and various types of sensors such as optical, electrochemical, mass-sensitive, gas, biosensors, and more. It also includes environmental, process control, and biomedical applications, signal processing, chemometrics, optoelectronic, mechanical, thermal, and magnetic sensors, as well as interface electronics. Additionally, it covers sensor systems and applications, µTAS (Micro Total Analysis Systems), development of solid-state devices for transducing physical signals, and analytical devices incorporating biological materials.