Sensitive and Selective Electrochemical Sensor for Antimony Using Boron-doped Diamond Nanoparticles

At a Glance

Metadata	Details
Publication Date	2023-12-18
Journal	Sensors and Materials
Authors	Prastika Krisma Jiwanti, Moh. Agus Rismafullah, Aning Purwaningsih, Md. Shalauddin, Shamima Akhter
Institutions	Airlangga University, University of Malaya
Citations	7
Analysis	Full AI Review Included

Technical Documentation & Analysis: Boron-Doped Diamond for Trace Heavy Metal Sensing

This document analyzes the research paper “Sensitive and Selective Electrochemical Sensor for Antimony Using Boron-doped Diamond Nanoparticles” to provide technical specifications and align the material requirements with 6CCVD’s advanced MPCVD diamond capabilities.

Executive Summary

The research successfully demonstrates the superior performance of Boron-Doped Diamond Nanoparticles (BDDNPs) as a modifier for screen-printed electrodes (SPDE) in the highly sensitive and selective detection of Antimony (Sb³⁺) ions.

High Sensitivity: The BDDNP modification significantly enhanced the signal-to-background (S/B) ratio (12.052 for SPDE vs. 4.648 for unmodified SPE), confirming BDD’s effectiveness in trace analysis.
Ultra-Low Detection Limit: An excellent Limit of Detection (LOD) of 2.41 x 10^-8 M was achieved using Square Wave Voltammetry (SWV).
Material Advantage: The wide potential window, low background current, and inert surface of BDDNPs are confirmed as ideal characteristics for high-performance electrochemical sensors.
Practical Application: The developed SPDE sensor exhibited high selectivity and precision (RSD < 5%) when analyzing Sb³⁺ in real river water samples.
6CCVD Value Proposition: 6CCVD specializes in manufacturing the high-purity, highly conductive Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) material required to replicate and advance this sensor technology, offering custom plates and wafers for robust, reusable electrode systems.

Technical Specifications

The following hard data points were extracted from the research detailing the sensor performance and fabrication parameters:

Parameter	Value	Unit	Context
Analyte Detected	Sb³⁺ (Antimony)	N/A	Trace heavy metal detection in water
Limit of Detection (LOD)	2.41 x 10^-8	M	Achieved using BDDNP-modified SPDE
Sensitivity	29.18	µA/µM	Gradient of the calibration curve
Linear Concentration Range	0.19 to 0.59	µM	Range for quantitative analysis
Optimal pH	4.5	N/A	Acetate buffer solution
Signal/Background Ratio (SPDE)	12.052	N/A	Confirms enhanced sensitivity of BDD
BDDNP Average Size (Measured)	192.22	nm	Determined via FESEM/ImageJ analysis
SWV Amplitude	0.05	V	Optimized electrochemical parameter
SWV Frequency	50	Hz	Optimized electrochemical parameter
Drying Temperature	60	°C	For BDDNP ink preparation
Drying Time	90	min	For BDDNP ink preparation
Precision (RSD)	< 5	%	Relative Standard Deviation in real samples

Key Methodologies

The BDDNP-modified screen-printed electrode (SPDE) was prepared and characterized using the following steps and parameters:

BDDNP Ink Preparation:
- 10 mg of BDDNPs (size 0-250 nm) were mixed with 0.5 mL of 30% ethanol.
- The mixture was subjected to ultrasonication until complete dispersion was achieved.
Electrode Modification (Drop-Casting):
- 20 µL of the BDDNP ink suspension was drop-cast onto the working electrode (WE) surface of the commercial screen-printed electrode (SPE).
Thermal Curing:
- The modified electrode was dried in an oven at 60 °C for 90 minutes to evaporate the solvent and prevent BDDNP leaching.
Electrochemical Testing (SWV):
- Measurements were performed using 60 µM Sb³⁺ in 0.1 M acetate buffer solution (optimal pH 4.5).
- The solution was allowed to equilibrate for 5 seconds.
- Scanning was performed from -1.0 V to 1.0 V.
- Optimized SWV parameters: Amplitude 0.05 V, Frequency 50 Hz, E-step 0.05 V.
Characterization:
- FESEM/EDX confirmed homogeneous surface morphology and elemental composition.
- XRD confirmed diamond lattice planes (111) and (220).
- FTIR confirmed B-C vibration at 1438 cm^-1, associated with substitutional boron.

6CCVD Solutions & Capabilities

This research validates Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) as the material of choice for high-performance electrochemical sensing of heavy metals. 6CCVD is uniquely positioned to supply the foundational BDD materials necessary for replicating and scaling this technology beyond disposable screen-printed formats.

Applicable Materials

To replicate or extend this research into robust, long-life sensors, 6CCVD recommends the following materials:

Heavy Boron-Doped PCD (Polycrystalline Diamond): Ideal for large-area, high-conductivity working electrodes. We offer plates up to 125mm diameter and thicknesses up to 500 µm, providing a superior, reusable alternative to disposable SPEs.
Boron-Doped Diamond Precursors: For researchers requiring BDDNPs, 6CCVD supplies high-purity BDD wafers/plates that can be milled or ground in-house to achieve precise nanoparticle size distributions (e.g., 0-250 nm range used in the paper) with guaranteed purity and doping uniformity.
Polished BDD Wafers: For applications requiring ultra-low noise and maximum stability, we offer BDD wafers with polishing down to Ra < 5 nm (PCD) or Ra < 1 nm (SCD), ensuring minimal surface defects and consistent electrochemical response.

Customization Potential

The transition from disposable screen-printed electrodes to permanent, high-throughput BDD sensors requires specialized fabrication capabilities, which 6CCVD provides:

Research Requirement	6CCVD Customization Service
Custom Electrode Geometry	Precision Laser Cutting: We cut BDD plates to unique dimensions and shapes required for integration into flow cells or multi-sensor arrays, far exceeding the size limitations of commercial SPEs.
Electrical Contacting	Integrated Metalization: We offer in-house deposition of standard contact metals (Ti/Au, Pt, Pd, W, Cu) directly onto the BDD surface, ensuring low-resistance ohmic contacts critical for reliable SWV measurements.
Thickness Control	Tailored Thickness: We provide BDD films from 0.1 µm (for thin-film sensing) up to 500 µm, allowing engineers to optimize material usage and mechanical stability for specific sensor designs.
Global Supply Chain	DDU/DDP Global Shipping: We ensure reliable, fast delivery of custom diamond materials worldwide (DDU default, DDP available upon request).

Engineering Support

6CCVD’s in-house PhD team specializes in the material science of MPCVD diamond and can assist clients with material selection for similar Heavy Metal Electrochemical Sensing projects. We provide consultation on:

Optimizing boron doping levels for maximum conductivity and wide potential window.
Selecting the appropriate diamond morphology (SCD vs. PCD) based on required surface area and cost constraints.
Designing robust metalization schemes for long-term sensor operation in harsh chemical environments (e.g., strong acidic media mentioned in the paper).

For custom specifications or material consultation, visit 6ccvd.com or contact our engineering team directly.

View Original Abstract

In this study, boron-doped diamond nanoparticles modified on the surface of a screen-printed electrode (SPE) were prepared for the sensitive and selective determination of Sb 3+ using square wave voltammetry.The effect of electrochemical parameters such as the type of supporting electrolyte, pH, signal per background, and scan rate on the sensitivity of the sensor for the detection of Sb 3+ was investigated.Under optimized conditions with an amplitude of 0.05 V, a frequency of 50 Hz, and an E-step of 0.05 V, the square wave voltammogram between -1.0 and 1.0 V gave a limit of detection of 2.41 × 10 -8 M for an Sb 3+ concentration range from 0.19 to 0.59 μM.The method was used to determine Sb 3+ ions in river water with satisfactory results.The modified electrode displayed benefits such as high sensitivity and selectivity, long-term stability, easy preparation, and wide linear range.

Tech Support

Original Source

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18494/sam4599