Title
Paper-based electrode using Cladophora cellulose-polyaniline composite for electrochemical quantification of toxic lead (II)
Authors
DAISYLYN SENNA Y. TAN MELANIE GRACE W. IMPAS DREXEL H. CAMACHO and SHIRLEY T. PALISOC

Received January 10, 2018
Published Volume 52 Issue 9-10 October-December
Keywords Cladophora rupestris, cellulose, paper electrode, polyaniline, lead, cyclic voltammetry, anodic stripping voltammetry

Abstract
A simple method to accurately detect lead (II) in low concentrations is highly desirable. This study describes the fabrication of a paper-based electrode using Cladophora rupestris cellulose coated with polyaniline (PANI) for detection of toxic lead. Polyaniline was polymerized along the fibers of Cladophora cellulose, affording thin layers of PANI on cellulose, while preserving its highly crystalline nature. The composite was fabricated into a working electrode and the cyclic voltammetry (CV) profile showed the characteristic double peak of polyaniline. Following the optimization for the anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) of Pb, the developed electrode had a linear working range of 0.2 ppm to 1.0 ppm and a low limit of detection at 0.348 μM (0.0721 ppm) for Pb2+ in a low-cost platform. A comparison using standard atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) techniques showed no significant difference in detecting lead, highlighting the potential of paper-based electrochemical sensors for rapid water quality monitoring.