Nanostructured sensors based on carbon nanotubes for electrochemical analysis of cadmium in food samples

Food samples are facing enormous challenges from contaminants of heavy metal ions that are released into the environment by long-term industrial and agricultural activities. One of the most hazardous environmental pollutants is cadmium ions (Cd(II), Cd۲+) because of their high toxicity and long-term stability. Heavy metal ions tend to enter into human body by the food chain and cause liver damage, nervous system diseases, as well as kidney. Since the trace of Cd۲+ excess to its limit is very hazardous a sensitive determination method for cadmium ions is very important. One of the methods for monitoring cadmium heavy metal ions is electrochemical technique. The techniques based on modified electrodes can act as efficient method for sensitive analysis of Cd۲+ in real samples. Among the different modifiers, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been used broadly over the last two decades for various potential applications in electrode modification systems. CNTs due to the tubular structures are one of the most valuable modifiers because of their distinct features for instance inertness, porous structure, low density, and affinity for pollutants. In the present work, modified electrochemical sensors based on CNTs were reported to show their potential as active materials for sensitive detection of Cd۲+ in food complicated samples.

کلیدواژه ها:

Carbon nanotubes ، Nanostructured sensors ، Electrochemical studies ، Cadmium ions ، Food analysis