Glassy carbon electrode coated with polyaniline-functionalized carbon nanotubes for detection of trace lead in acetate solution

The performance of glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs) coated with polyaniline-multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT–CO–PANI) nanocomposite coatings was investigated in detection of Pb2+ ions in a 0.1 M acetate buffer solution using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). It was found that the MWCNT–CO–PANI coated electrodes had a better performance than the bare GCEs. Different solvents were used to get a better dispersion of MWCNTs in the PANI matrix for higher stripping signals. The surface morphology and structure of the coated electrodes were examined using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and micro Raman spectroscopy, showing that the conductive PANI matrix worked as both a conductor to electrically connect the individual MWCNTs, and a binder to mechanically join the MWCNTs.