An advanced and sensitive cadmium detection using anodic stripping voltammetry validated by a chemometric approach

Background and significance

Cadmium (Cd²⁺) is a highly toxic heavy metal contaminant that poses a significant threat to human health and the environment. Its widespread presence in various industries, including mining, electroplating, and battery manufacturing, has led to its contamination of soil, water, and air. Due to the serious health implications of cadmium exposure, accurate and sensitive detection is crucial for environmental monitoring and public health protection. Early detection allows for timely intervention to mitigate contamination and prevent adverse health effects.

Results

This study presents a novel electrochemical sensing protocol for Cd²⁺ detection using Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV) coupled with mathematical modelling-chemometric optimisation. By carefully optimising the electrochemical parameters and employing Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) for validation, the proposed method achieved remarkable sensitivity and selectivity. The optimized ASV-PLSR method demonstrated a high sensitivity of 0.281 μAppb^-1 with a low detection limit of 0.63 ppb within a linear concentration range of 10–50 ppb. The PLSR model effectively discriminated Cd²⁺ signals from background interferences, ensuring accurate and reliable detection. The developed sensing scheme exhibited excellent stability and robustness, making it suitable for practical applications in environmental monitoring.

Contribution

The research contributes to the field of environmental analysis by providing a sensitive, selective, and reliable method for Cd²⁺ detection. The combination of ASV and PLSR offers a significant advantage over conventional methods, enabling accurate and early detection of Cd²⁺ contamination. This advancement has the potential to improve environmental monitoring and public health safety.