Efficient sensor based on CeCo3O6 nanocomposite for the electrochemical detection of cadmium and copper ions

Today, the world is in a constant need to monitor environmental pollutants especially water contamination with heavy metals that causes health problems for human beings and other organisms. Therefore, many different analytical techniques have been developed to detect these toxic elements accurately. Since of their high level of sensitivity as well as low detection limit, electrochemical sensors are of great interest to researchers for the quantitative detection of these harmful chemicals. In the current study, CeCo3O6-1, CeCo3O6-2, and CeCo3O6-3 nanocomposites were successfully used to modify the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with the aid of Nafion as a binder in order to enhance the detection of cadmium and copper ions by using deferential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The behaviour of the analyte was precisely examined on the modified GCE. Besides, number of analytical parameters including pH, the amount of nanocomposite, the deposition potential, and the deposition time were investigated in order to optimize and enhance Cd(II) and Cu(II) detection signals. The results showed that the maximum sensor response was at pH 3.0 by using CeCo3O6-2 nanocomposite as compared to CeCo3O6-1 and CeCo3O6-3 at an approximate deposition potential of −1.0 V and deposition time of 240 s. The developed sensor displayed an extraordinary linear response of Cd(II) and Cu(II) ions (0.5–5 mg/L) with RSD (8.7, 12.0) and detection limits of 0.38 and 0.90 mg/L, respectively, under the ideal settings. Through the simultaneous detection of Cd(II) and Cu(II) ions as well as individual metal measurements, the performance of the modified electrode was evaluated. Tap water samples from real sources were utilized to demonstrate the sensor's usability. The findings confirmed that the designed electrochemical sensor based on CeCo3O6-2/GCE is effective, stable, and robust in its ability to detect trace heavy metal ions.