Fabrication of Nanoporous Gold Film: A Novel Electrochemical Sensor for Germanium (II)

In this work, the fabrication of a high surface area nanoporous gold (NPG) structures on the surface of a gold electrode using a facile and green electrochemical approach via anodization–reduction method for germanium (Ge) determination is presented. The characterization of the NPG was analyzed by cyclic voltammetry, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction techniques. Voltammetry showed an improved sensitivity for Ge (II) oxidation at this electrode when compared to a bare electrode, with a peak near to –1.3 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) at a scan rate of 100 mV s −1 . The square wave anodic stripping voltammetry shows a response that is linear in the 10–40 μg L −1 Ge (II) concentration range, with a 1.53 μg L −1 limit of detection and 4.65 μg L −1 limit of quantification. The reproducibility and repeatability were assessed, and acceptable performance was achieved.