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Development of AgBiS2 Nanoparticle Modified Bulk Screen-Printed Electrodes for Lead (II) and Cadmium (II) Detection
  • Enyioma C. Okpara 1, 2, *,   
  • Timothy O. Ajiboye 3, 4,   
  • Olanrewaju B. Wojuola 1,   
  • Damian C. Onwudiwe 4, 5,   
  • Elena Bernalte 2,   
  • Robert D. Crapnell 2,   
  • Matthew J. Whittingham 2,   
  • Craig E. Banks 2

Received: 18 Apr 2025 | Revised: 16 Jun 2025 | Accepted: 24 Jun 2025 | Published: 27 Jun 2025

Abstract

The development of a screen-printed electrochemical sensor for the simultaneous detection of lead (Pb2+) and cadmium (Cd2+) ions in water is reported. A novel AgBiS2 nanoparticle (NP)-modified nanocarbon black (NCB) paste was fabricated and analysed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and square-wave voltammetry (SWV). The modification significantly enhanced electrode performance by reducing the charge transfer resistance threefold, resulting in improved sensitivity. Under optimized conditions (90-s deposition at −1.2 V in 3 mM HCl, the sensor exhibited clear, well-defined peaks for Pb2+ and Cd2+, with detection limits of 4.41 ppb and 13.83 ppb, over a linear current concentration range of 50–200 ppb, respectively. The Pb2+ detection limit was below WHO-recommended levels, demonstrating the electrode’s suitability for real-time environmental monitoring. This cost-effective disposable sensor paves the way for potable, high-performance heavy metal sensing applications.

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Okpara, E. C.; Ajiboye, T. O.; Wojuola, O. B.; Onwudiwe, D. C.; Bernalte, E.; Crapnell, R. D.; Whittingham, M. J.; Banks, C. E. Development of AgBiS2 Nanoparticle Modified Bulk Screen-Printed Electrodes for Lead (II) and Cadmium (II) Detection. Electrochemical Engineering 2025, 1 (1), 2.
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