Terbium Vanadate Nanowires-Based Electrochemical Sensors for Mercury Ions

Terbium vanadate nanowires were synthesized via a facile chemical approach using sodium vanadate and terbium chloride. Morphology, structure, composition, and electrochemical characteristics of the terbium vanadate nanowires were investigated by different techniques. Terbium vanadate nanowires with single crystalline tetragonal TbVO₄ phase possess smooth surface and flat tips. The length of the nanowires is longer than 5 μm, and diameter is 40–100 nm. Terbium vanadate nanowires modified electrode was used for trace-level mercury ions (Hg²⁺) detection. One well-defined stripping peak exists at − 0.34 V at the terbium vanadate nanowires modified electrode in 0.1 mM Hg²⁺ solution. Buffer solution pH value, deposition time, deposition potential, and standing time are pH = 1, 150 s, − 1.5 V, and 60 s, respectively. Detection limit for Hg²⁺ detection is 0.18 nM, and linear range is 0.01–100 μM. The proposed terbium vanadate nanowires modified electrode exhibits significant selectivity, stability, and reproducibility toward Hg²⁺. The usefulness of the developed sensor based on the terbium vanadate nanowires modified electrode was verified by Hg²⁺ detection in real samples.