Fabrication of Sb sensor based on 1,1'-(-(naphthalene-2,3-diylbis(azanylylidene))bis(methanylylidene))bis(naphthalen-2-ol)/nafion/glassy carbon electrode assembly by electrochemical approach.

A new Schiff base named 1,1'-(-(naphthalene-2,3-diylbis(azanylylidene))bis (methanylylidene))bis(naphthalen-2-ol) (NDNA) derived from 2,3-naphthalenediamine and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde was synthesized by condensation reaction and then characterized by spectroscopic techniques for structure elucidation. In addition to spectroscopic techniques, the molecular structure of NDNA was clearly confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. A thin film of NDNA was fabricated onto glassy carbon electrode (GCE) using 5.0% ethanolic nafion solution as a conducting binder in order to develop the cationic electrochemical sensor (NDNA/nafion/GCE) for the sensing of heavy-metal cations in aqueous systems by electrochemical technique. This newly designed sensor exhibited higher sensitivity and selectivity towards antimony (Sb) in the presence of other interfering heavy metal cations, as well as long-term stability. Fascinating analytical parameters such as limit of detection (LOD = 0.075 nM, SNR of 3), limit of quantification (LOQ = 0.25 nM) and sensitivity (12.658 × 10 μA μM cm) were calculated from the calibration curve plot, which shows a linear dynamic range (LDR) of Sb ion concentration from 0.1-10.0 mM. This work presents a new approach towards the development of sensitive, efficient as well as selective toxic cationic electrochemical sensors in the environmental and healthcare fields. Hence, this newly designed NDNA/nafion/GCE presents cost-effective and efficient outcomes and can be used as a practical substitute for the efficient detection and removal of Sb ions from water samples.