Uranyl sensor based on a N,N?-bis(salicylidene)-2-hydroxy-phenylmethanediamine and multiwall carbon nanotube electrode

The electrochemical determination of uranyl was investigated by using carbon paste electrode modified with a Schiff base namely N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-2-hydroxy-phenylmethanediamine (SHPMD/CPE) and also in the presence of carbon nanotube (SHPMD/CNT/CPE). The both modified electrodes displayed an irreversible peak at Epa = 0.798 V versus Ag/AgCl. The electrocatalytic reduction of uranyl has been studied on SHPMD/CNT/CPE, using cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry, chronocoulometry and linear sweep techniques. Electrochemical parameters including the diffusion coefficient (D), the electron transfer coefficient (α), the ionic exchange current (i) and the redox reaction rate constant (K) were determined for the reduction of uranyl on the surface of the modified electrodes. Linear range concentration is 0.002-0.6 μmol L-1 and the detection limit of uranyl is 0.206 nmol L-1. The proposed method was used to detect uranyl in natural waters and good recovery was achieved. (author)