Nano-Needle Boron-Doped Diamond Film with High Electrochemical Performance of Detecting Lead Ions

Nano-needle boron-doped diamond (NNBDD) films increase their performance when used as electrodes in the determination of Pb(2+). We develop a simple and economical route to produce NNBDD based on the investigation of the diamond growth mode and the ratio of diamond to non-diamond carbon without involving any templates. An enhancement in surface area is achievable for NNBDD film. The NNBDD electrodes are characterized through scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). Furthermore, we use a finite-element numerical method to research the prospects of tip-enhanced electric fields for sensitive detection at low Pb(2+) concentrations. The NNBDD exhibits significant advantages and great electrical conductivity and is applied to detect trace Pb(2+) through DPASV. Under pre-deposition accumulation conditions, a wide linear range from 1 to 80 µgL(−1) is achieved. A superior detection limit of 0.32 µgL(−1) is achieved for Pb(2+), which indicates great potential for the sensitive detection of heavy metal ions.