Facile synthesis of Sm vanadate nanowires and sensitive detection of cobalt ions

A facile hydrothermal approach was applied for synthesizing single crystalline Sm vanadate nanowires without any surfactants, and the formation mechanism of the Sm vanadate nanowires was analyzed in detail. The Sm vanadate nanowires possess a tetragonal SmVO 4 phase, smooth surface, length of tens of micrometers, and a diameter of 30–100 nm, respectively. The Sm vanadate nanowires can be applied as the electrode materials with excellent electron transfer interface, exhibiting good electrocatalytic performance for Co 2+ detection by square wave voltammetry (SWV) technique. A well-defined potential at + 0.60 V exists at the Sm vanadate nanowire–modified electrode in KCl electrolyte with 1 mM Co 2+ . Electrolyte pH value, deposition time, deposition potential, and standing time are optimized to be pH = 6, 90 s, − 1.5 V, and 60 s, respectively. Sm vanadate nanowire–modified electrode indicates a linear detection range of 0.01–1000 μM, detection limit of 0.23 nM, good stability, reproducibility, and selectivity for Co 2+ detection. The Sm vanadate nanowires provide promising electrode materials and are applicable for the detection of Co 2+ in real water environment.