Evaluation of a new multi-walled carbon nanotube paste electrode modified with Alizarin Red S for the determination of tellurium by differential pulse stripping voltammetry

Abstract

A new modified carbon paste electrode based on multi-walled carbon nanotube and Alizarin Red S acts as a chelating agent for tellurium(IV) ions, is described. The electrochemical responses were found to be analytically suitable to develop a method for the determination of tellurium at low concentration levels. Under optimised operational conditions, the sensor exhibited linear behaviour in the range of 2.0–300 ng mL⁻¹ (correlation coefficient: 0.9982) with a detection limit of 0.45 ng mL⁻¹. The results indicate that the sensor is sensitive and effective for the determination of tellurium in water samples and certified reference materials.

Keywords:

• Alizarin Red S
• anodic stripping voltammetry
• carbon nanotube
• modified carbon paste electrode
• tellurium(IV)