Amino functionalized bismuth-based metal-organic frameworks and graphene aerogels for simultaneous detection of cadmium and lead ions

The severe toxicity of heavy metal ions (HMIs) to both the environment safety and human health makes it challenging to build a system that can simultaneously detect them. A method simultaneous electrochemical detection of Cd 2+ and Pb 2+ was developed here using amino-functionalized bismuth-based metal–organic frameworks (NH 2 -Bi-MOFs) and graphene aerogels (GAs) composites. The GAs/NH 2 -Bi-MOFs composites were made by ultrasonically depositing the NH 2 -Bi-MOF on the GAs. GAs support NH 2 -Bi-MOFs and boost their conductivity by accelerating electron transmission through the matrix. NH 2 -Bi-MOFs acted as a binding site for Cd 2+ and Pb 2+ , because hydrophilic groups (-NH 2 ) and bismuth metal active sites collaborated. The GAs/NH 2 -Bi-MOFs composite–modified electrodes detection capability was assessed. The proposed electrochemical sensor can be effectively used for individual and simultaneous detection of the Cd 2+ and Pb 2+ in aqueous solutions with outstanding sensitivity and interference used to simultaneously detect Cd 2+ and Pb 2+ in river water and tap water samples with satisfactory accuracy and repeatability. This paper provides a unique technique for concurrently detecting Cd 2+ and Pb 2+ in practical applications.