Simultaneous detection of Cd2+ and Pb2+ by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry: Use of highly efficient novel Ag0(NPs) decorated silane grafted bentonite material

[Display omitted] •Novel nanocomposite materials were synthesized adopting greener route.•Nanocomposite materials were employed for highly efficient and selective simultaneous detection of Cd2+ and Pb2+.•Sensing platform is unaffected with existing co-ions.•High recovery was obtained using real matrix analysis for Pb2+ and Cd2+. Novel and highly efficient nanomaterials were synthesized using relatively greener routes, and these materials were utilized in the trace and simultaneous detection of Cd2+ and Pb2+ in aqueous solutions. Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) were synthesized by using the Persea Americana leaf extract, and the AgNP were in situ decorated with the silane grafted bentonite (AgNP@Bt/TC). The structure/morphology of the synthesized materials was characterized by scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Nanomaterial was utilized to modify the glassy carbon electrode surface. For the first time, the fabricated electrode was employed for the single and simultaneous trace detection of lead and cadmium in aqueous solutions using the differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). Extensive parametric studies viz., pH, depositional potential, time, and potentially interfering ions were studied. Fairly good calibration lines were obtained to detect these two ions with a detection limit (LOD) of 0.79 µg/L for Cd2+ and 0.88 µg/L for Pb2+. The detection method was utilized in the simultaneous detection of the metal ions in real matrix samples, which gave the recovery of 93 to 108% for cadmium and 99 to 113% for lead detection.