# Development of a Molecularly Imprinted Pencil Graphite Electrode for the Voltammetric Detection of Hg2+ Ions

## TL;DR

A new sensor was developed to detect mercury ions using a modified graphite electrode, offering fast and accurate detection at low concentrations.

## Contribution

A novel molecularly imprinted pencil graphite electrode for voltammetric detection of Hg2+ ions was developed.

## Key findings

- The sensor detected Hg2+ in aqueous solutions and real samples with a linear relationship.
- Detection and quantification limits were 0.188 nM and 0.570 nM, respectively.
- The method is rapid, simple, and cost-effective for mercury ion detection.

## Abstract

The ability to detect trace amounts of mercury has become
critical
due to its possible severe toxic effects on both humans and the environment
when exposed to unsafe amounts. This study focuses on developing a
novel mercury detection technique using differential pulse anodic
stripping voltammetry (DPASV) with a pencil graphite electrode modified
with a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP-PGE). The amino acid-based
N-methacryloyl-(L)-cysteine methyl ester (MAC) monomer was used for
the imprinting process of Hg2+ ions. Fourier transform
infrared spectroscopy equipped with an attenuated total reflection
(FTIR-ATR), contact angle (CA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
was used to characterize the electrochemical sensors. The obtained
results revealed that the voltammetric detection method using MIP-PGE
was able to accurately detect Hg2+ in both aqueous solutions
and real samples for different concentrations, with an acceptable
linear relationship. This novel sensor demonstrated low detection
and quantification limits of 0.188 nM and 0.570 nM, respectively.
The produced sensor offers rapid, simple, and cost-effective detection
of Hg2+ ions.