Carbon nanoparticles were prepared from glycerol by a thermal process in the presence of H<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>4</sub>. These particles were spherical with an average diameter of 89 nm and consisted of a carbon core with carboxylic acid and alcohol functional groups on the surface.  The particles were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared, x-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible, and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. Diameter size distributions were obtained using scanning electron microscopy images in conjunction with ImageJ software and supported with a light scattering technique.  Glassy carbon electrodes were modified, by drop casting, with the carbon nanoparticles and used for heavy metal detection by square wave stripping voltammetry.  Parameters such as accumulation time, reduction time, reduction potential, pulse height, and pulse width were optimized.  Calibration curves for each metal were produced and detection limits were calculated.  The detection limits for Cu and Pb were 0.5 ppm and 0.3 ppm and the sensitivity of the calibration curves were 13.8 μA/ppm and 40.4 μA/ppm respectively.

Fabrication, characterization, and application of carbon nanoparticles for detection of heavy metal ions in aqueous media

251st National Meeting (2016)

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