Ultra-trace electrochemical determination of total arsenic in actual water samples and food matrices using nano-granular gold-copper modified glassy carbon electrode (NG-AuCu/GCE)

Efficient and sensitive monitoring of toxic ions, particularly arsenic in actual water samples and various food matrices, is crucial for effective health risk management. In this work, a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) is modified with the nano-granular network of gold-copper (NG-AuCu/GCE) for total arsenic determination in actual water and food matrices. Square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) using NG-AuCu/GCE confirms the successful determination of total arsenic with negligible interference from commonly coexisting ions. Gold-copper nano-granular network provides a large surface area, resulting in a high sensitivity with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.03 ppb only. Our modified sensor exhibited an excellent response and a linearity from 0 to 500 ppb. Eventually, the NG-AuCu/GCE was successfully applied to actual water samples and various food matrices for total arsenic determination with high recoveries. Our proposed approach is a simpler, more reliable, and faster alternative to existing methods, while the proposed sensor is cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Moreover, it demonstrates promising efficiency in the rapid determination of total arsenic, with excellent anti-interference properties and long-term stability.