Palladium-based sensor for electrochemical detection of manganese in the environment

Herein, we report a palladium-based electrochemical sensor for cathodic stripping voltammetry (CSV) detection of highly electronegative manganese (Mn). The unique aspect of the sensor is the integration of electroplated palladium (Pd) working and auxiliary electrodes on copper (Cu) substrate with a new Cu/CuCl
₂
reference electrode, which reduces cost and simplifies fabrication. The sensor was fully characterized and was found to exhibit a linear response in borate buffer with limit of detection (LOD) of 330nM (18.6ppb). The sensor also demonstrated successful measurement of Mn in river water, and ultimately may be extended to other environmental sample matrices.