One-step electrosynthesis of cadmium/aluminum layered double hydroxides composite as electrochemical probe for voltammetric detection of anthracene

A green and facile electrochemical approach to synthesize novel cadmium/aluminum layered double hydroxides on a glassy carbon electrode (Cd/Al-LDHs/GCE) was proposed. The morphology and structure of Cd/Al-LDHs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometer, powder X-ray diffraction. The results indicated that Cd/Al-LDHs were successfully prepared. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were employed to investigate the electrochemical behaviors of Cd/Al-LDHs/GCE. The Cd/Al-LDHs was served as an electrochemical probe in the detection of anthracene . And the Cd/Al-LDHs electrochemical response was greatly suppressed in presence of anthracene. A sensitive and convenient electrochemical method was developed for the determination of anthracene. The linear range and detection limit were 0.1–100.0   pM and 0.5   fM respectively. The method was successfully applied to determine anthracene in cloud-rain water samples of Mount-Taishan. This work provides a promising strategy for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons analysis at a very low concentration.