Graphite powder derivatized with poly-L-cysteine using "building-block" chemistry - a novel material for the extraction of heavy metal ions

Gregory G. Wildgoose, Henry C. Leventis, Ieuan J. Davies, Alison Crossley, Nathan S. Lawrence, Li Jiang, Timothy G. J. Jones, Richard G. Compton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

57 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Graphite powder derivatized with 4-nitrophenyl moieties (NPcarbon) can be used to successively attach other chem. species to the graphite surface in a controlled and selective manner. Characterization of these novel materials was undertaken using electrochem. and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) techniques. The authors demonstrate the proof of concept of this building-block chem. by 1st reducing the nitro groups on the NPcarbon using a Sn-HCl redn. to the corresponding aniline-like moieties, and then coupling p-nitrobenzoic acid to these via an amide-linkage. Next the authors demonstrate the utility of this novel derivatization method by coupling poly-S-benzyl-L-cysteine to the reduced NPcarbon in an analogous manner. After deprotection of the thiol groups using Na in liq. NH3, the poly-L-cysteine derivatized C (PCcarbon) was found to complex Cd(II) ions. Quant. anal. of the uptake of Cd2+ from aq. solns. at pH 5.0 by PCcarbon was carried out using stripping-voltammetry at a B doped diamond (BDD) electrode and revealed that PCcarbon complexed 137 ± 20 mg of Cd2+ per g of modified PCcarbon. [on SciFinder(R)]
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2375-2382
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry
Volume15
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2005

Keywords

  • graphite powder derivatized polycysteine extn heavy metal

Cite this