Thiacalix[4]arene-based complex with Co(II) ions as electrode modifier for simultaneous electrochemical determination of Cd(II), Pb(II), and Cu(II).

A complex [Co4(TCTA)2(H2O)8]∙10H2O (Co-TCTA) based on thiacalix[4]arene derivative has been synthesized for the first time using the solvothermal method. The glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with Co-TCTA (Co-TCTA/GCE) could simultaneously determine Cd2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+ at around - 0.75 V, - 0.60 V, and - 0.10 V (vs. ref. Ag/AgCl) and had good stability, selectivity, and reproducibility with relative standard deviation (RSD) of 4.4% for Cd2+, 1.4% for Pb2+, and 5.4% for Cu2+. Co-TCTA/GCE showed wide linear range of 0.4-8.0 μM for Cd2+, 0.4-7.0 μM for Pb2+, and 0.6-6.0 μM for Cu2+ when three ions were determined simultaneously. The limits of detection (LODs) of Cd2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+ were 0.071 μM, 0.022 μM, and 0.021 μM, respectively. Moreover, the sensor was used to determine three ions in lake water sample with satisfactory recoveries of 93.6-93.8% for Cd2+, 93.8-103.3% for Pb2+ and 94.6-95.3% for Cu2+. The good adsorption capacity of Co-TCTA and Co(II)/Co(0) circular mechanism on the surface of the electrode were proposed to enhance the electrochemical signals. This work enriched the theoretical research on the complexes for the determination of heavy metal ions.