Anodic stripping voltammetric determination of mercury using multi-walled carbon nanotubes film coated glassy carbon electrode

An electrochemical method for the determination of trace levels of mercury based on a multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) film coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE) is described. In 0.1 mol L^–1 HCl solution containing 0.02 mol L^–1 KI, Hg²⁺ was firstly preconcentrated at the MWNT film and then reduced at –0.60 V. During the anodic potential sweep, reduced mercury was oxidized, and then a sensitive and well-defined stripping peak at about –0.20 V appeared. Under identical conditions, a MWNT film coated GCE greatly enhances the stripping peak current of mercury in contrast to a bare GCE. Low concentrations of I^– remarkably improve the determining sensitivity, since this increases the accumulation efficiency of Hg²⁺ at the MWNT film coated GCE. The stripping peak current is proportional to the concentration of Hg²⁺ over the range 8×10^–10–5×10^–7 mol L^–1. The lowest detectable concentration of Hg²⁺ is 2×10^–10 mol L^–1 at 5 min accumulation. The relative standard deviation (RSD) at 1×10^–8 mol L^–1 Hg²⁺ was about 6% (n=10). By using this proposed method, Hg²⁺ in some water samples was determined, and the results were compared with those obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The two results are similar, suggesting that the MWNT-film coated GCE has great potential in practical analysis.     

Rapid Determination of Mercury in Water by Stripping Voltammetry at a Gold-Modified Carbon Electrode

A procedure was developed for determining mercury in natural water by stripping voltammetry on a gold-modified carbon electrode. The concentration dependence of the anodic stripping current of mercury is linear in the range 0.02–5 g/L Hg(II). The interference of Fe(III), Cu(II), Cl^–, Br^–, I^–, and F^– ions with the determination of mercury was studied. Ozonation was used for rapid sample preparation. The detection limit for mercury was 0.02 g/L at an electrolysis time of 5 min.     

Adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of 1-(4′-bromophenyl)-3,3-dimethyltriazene

The optimum conditions were established for the determination of the genotoxic substance 1-(4-bromophenyl)-3,3-dimethyltriazene by differential-pulse voltammetry at a hanging mercury drop electrode in the concentration range 1 × 10^–4 to 1 × 10^–7 mol dm^–3. The sensitivity of the determination can be improved through adsorptive accumulation of the investigated substance on the surface of the hanging mercury drop electrode: differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetry can be used in the concentration range 1 × 10^–7 to 2 × 10^–10 mol dm^–3. The relative standard deviation (for ten determinations at 2 × 10^–10 mol dm^–3) was 7.5%.     

Evaluations of solid electrodes for use in voltammetric monitoring of heavy metals in samples from metallurgical nickel industry

Evaluation of different solid electrode systems for detection of zinc, lead, cobalt, and nickel in process water from metallurgical nickel industry with use of differential pulse stripping voltammetry has been performed. Zinc was detected by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) on a dental amalgam electrode as intermetallic Ni–Zn compound after dilution in ammonium buffer solution. The intermetallic compound was observed at –375 mV, and a linear response was found in the range 0.2–1.2 mg L^–1 (r²=0.98) for 60 s deposition time. Simultaneous detection of nickel and cobalt in the low g L^–1 range was successfully performed by use of adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry (AdCSV) of dimethylglyoxime complexes on a silver–bismuth alloy electrode, and a good correlation was found with corresponding AAS results (r²=0.999 for nickel and 0.965 for cobalt). Analyses of lead in the g L^–1 range in nickel-plating solution were performed with good sensitivity and stability by DPASV, using a working electrode of silver together with a glassy carbon counter electrode in samples diluted 1:3 with distilled water and acidified with H₂SO₄ to pH 2. A new commercial automatic at-line system was tested, and the results were found to be in agreement with an older mercury drop system. The stability of the solid electrode systems was found to be from one to several days without any maintenance needed.     

Stripping Voltammetry of Thallium at a Film Mercury Electrode

The electrochemical dissolution of thallium from the surface of a mercury film electrode was studied in different supporting electrolytes. The effects of the concentration of thallium(I), electrolysis potential and time, and the potential sweep rate on anodic voltammograms were studied. The electrode process in solutions containing EDTA, HCl, and ascorbic acid at a potential sweep rate of 0.020 V/s is reversible. A stripping voltammetric procedure was developed for determining thallium(I) in the concentration range 1 × 10^–9 to 5 × 10^–7 M. The detection limit (3, n = 3) is 5 × 10^–10 M.     

Determination of subnanomolar concentrations of cobalt by adsorptive stripping voltammetry at a bismuth film electrode

Procedures for trace cobalt determinations by adsorptive stripping voltammetry at in situ and ex situ plated bismuth film electrodes are presented. These exploit the enhancement of the cobalt peak obtained by using the Co(II)–dimethylglyoxime–cetyltrimethylammonium bromide–piperazine-N,N-bis(2-ethanesulfonic acid) system. The calibration graph for an accumulation time of 120 s was linear from 2 × 10^–10 to 2 × 10^–8 mol L^–1. The relative standard deviation from five determinations of cobalt at a concentration of 5 × 10^–9 mol L^–1 was 5.2%. The detection limit for an accumulation time of 300 s was 1.8 × 10^–11 mol L^–1. The proposed procedure was applied to cobalt determination in certified reference materials and in tap and river water samples.     

Determination of inorganic ionic mercury down to 5×10−14 mol l−1 by differential-pulse anodic stripping voltammetry

A new method is described for the reliable and ultrasensitive determination of inorganic ionic mercury, using differential-pulse anodic stripping voltammetry on a glassy carbon electrode. It has been possible to determine mercury down to a concentration of 5×10^–14 moll^-1 (the lowest detection limit ever reported for a voltammetric method). This success was achieved by using a thiocyanate electrolyte and relatively long deposition times. The mercury ions are stabilized in the solution by the formation of strong thiocyanate complexes. This leads to a highly reproducible cathodic plating and anodic dissolution of mercury. A speciation analysis allowing to distinguish between dissolved atomic and ionic mercury in water is possible.     

Simultaneous determination of zinc,copper, lead,and cadmium in fuel ethanol by anodic stripping voltammetry using a glassy carbon–mercury-film electrode

A new, versatile, and simple method for quantitative analysis of zinc, copper, lead, and cadmium in fuel ethanol by anodic stripping voltammetry is described. These metals can be quantified by direct dissolution of fuel ethanol in water and subsequent voltammetric measurement after the accumulation step. A maximum limit of 20% (v/v) ethanol in water solution was obtained for voltammetric measurements without loss of sensitivity for metal species. Chemical and operational optimum conditions were analyzed in this study; the values obtained were pH 2.9, a 4.7-m thickness mercury film, a 1,000-rpm rotation frequency of the working electrode, and a 600-s pre-concentration time. Voltammetric measurements were obtained using linear scan (LSV), differential pulse (DPV), and square wave (SWV) modes and detection limits were in the range 10^–9–10^–8 mol L^–1 for these metal species. The proposed method was compared with a traditional analytical technique, flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), for quantification of these metal species in commercial fuel ethanol samples.     

A novel amperometric sensor and chromatographic detector for determination of parathion

A novel amperometric sensor and chromatographic detector for determination of parathion has been fabricated from a multi-wall carbon nano-tube (MWCNT)/Nafion film-modified glassy-carbon electrode (GCE). The electrochemical response to parathion at the MWCNT/Nafion film electrode was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry. The redox current of parathion at the MWCNT/Nafion film electrode was significantly higher than that at the bare GCE, the MWCNT-modified GCE, and the Nafion-modified GCE. The results indicated that the MWCNT/Nafion film had an efficient electrocatalytic effect on the electrochemical response to parathion. The peak current was proportional to the concentration of parathion in the range 5.0×10^–9–2.0×10^–5 mol L^–1. The detection limit was 1.0×10^–9 mol L^–1 (after 120 s accumulation). In high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC–ED) a stable and sensitive current response was obtained for parathion at the MWCNT/Nafion film electrode. The linear range for parathion was over four orders of magnitude and the detection limit was 6.0×10^–9 mol L^–1. Application of the method for determination of parathion in rice was satisfactory.     

Electrochemical Properties and Analytical Applications of Keggin-type Phosphomolybdic Anions in Electrostatically Linked 2-Aminoethanethiol Self-Assembled Monolayers

A composite film containing a heteropolyanion was prepared on a 2-aminoethanethiol (AT) self-assembled monolayer film-modified gold electrode by attaching the Keggin-type phosphomolybdic anion. The surface structures and electrochemical properties of the composite films were characterized by using ATR-FTIR, AC impedance, cyclic voltammetry and chronocoulometry. FTIR studies indicated that there was some electrostatic interaction between Pmo₁₂O₄₂^7– and surface NH₃⁺. Three reversible redox couples were observed in 1.0molL^–1 H₂SO₄ in the potential range of 0–0.7V for the composite film modified electrode, which were attributed to two-electron and two-proton electrochemical processes of PMo₁₂O₄₂^7–. The diffusion coefficient is determined to be 2.04×10^–7cm²s^–1. The composite film shows good catalytic activities for the reduction of nitrite (NO₂^–) in acidic solution and the catalytic mechanisms are described. The modified electrode provides a linear response for NO₂^– in the concentration range of 1.0×10^–4 to 1.0×10^–7molL^–1 by differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetry with a correlation coefficient of 0.9965. The detection limit (three times the signal blank/slope) was 2.0×10^–8molL^–1. The modified electrode was used for the determination of NO₂^– in wastewater.     

Analytical possibilities of microelectrode use for stripping voltammetry

The analytical utility of microelectrodes for stripping voltammetry is discussed from several points of view. The application of microelectrodes for microanalysis is demonstrated using a novel capillary flow injection system. Heavy metals at g l^–1 concentrations have been determined in l-samples. The influence of electrode size and convection during the deposition period of anodic stripping voltammetry on the reproducibility of trace metal determination was studied for various types of electrodes. In the case of mercury film microelectrodes, the precision can be improved if the accumulation of the analyte is performed under quiescent conditions. Practical examples of stripping voltammetry with microelectrodes such as copper determination in whisky and trace metal measurements in drinking water are given.     

Square-wave voltametric method for determination of molinate concentration in a biological process using a hanging mercury drop electrode

A square-wave voltammetric (SWV) method using a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) has been developed for determination of the herbicide molinate in a biodegradation process. The method is based on controlled adsorptive accumulation of molinate for 10 s at a potential of –0.8 V versus AgCl/Ag. An anodic peak, due to oxidation of the adsorbed pesticide, was observed in the cyclic voltammogram at ca. –0.320 V versus AgCl/Ag; a very small cathodic peak was also detected. The SWV calibration plot was established to be linear in the range 5.0×10^–6 to 9.0×10^–6 mol L^–1; this corresponded to a detection limit of 3.5×10^–8 mol L^–1. This electroanalytical method was used to monitor the decrease of molinate concentration in river waters along a biodegradation process using a bacterial mixed culture. The results achieved with this voltammetric method were compared with those obtained by use of a chromatographic method (HPLC–UV) and no significant statistical differences were observed.     

Development of cysteine-modified screen-printed electrode for the chronopotentiometric stripping analysis of cadmium(II) in wastewater and soil extracts

Screen-printed carbon electrodes were fabricated with amino acid functionality by using in situ co-deposition of mercury and cysteine. The three-electrode configuration (graphite carbon working electrode, carbon counter electrode and silver/silver chloride reference electrode) incorporating a cysteine-modified working electrode exhibited good sensitivity towards cadmium(II). Several experimental variables affecting the sensor stripping response were characterised and optimised. These include cysteine and mercury concentrations, deposition time, deposition potential and stripping current. Surface analysis was also conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to characterize the electrode surface during cadmium analysis. The stripping chronopotentiometric response for cadmium(II) was linear in the concentration range 0.4–800 g L^–1 when a deposition time of 2 min was used. A detection limit of 0.4 g L^–1 was obtained using 0.025 M Tris–HCl buffer containing 0.1 M KCl (pH 7.4) as the supporting electrolyte. The analytical utility of the cysteine-modified sensor was demonstrated by applying it to cadmium analysis in various wastewater and soil samples collected from a contaminated site and extracted using acetic acid. The results obtained using the developed electrodes agreed satisfactorily with the values achieved using atomic absorption spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using this type of sensor for cadmium analysis.     

Influence of hydrodynamic conditions of the solution on the sensitivity of stripping analysis of trace metals

Possibilities to increase the sensitivity of stripping analysis by optimising the hydrodynamic conditions of the solution during the deposition and rest period are evaluated. Rotation rates as high as 13 000 rpm can be applied during the deposition step at a mercury film rotating disc electrode for Zn, Cd, Pb, In and Tl determinations when 10–20 mg/l of Hg²⁺ for the renewal of the mercury film is added. Because of the extreme sensitivity on the properties of the mercury film in the case of Ga only 4000–5000 rpm are recommended. The highest stirring efficiencies using a magnetic stirrer are equivalent to 2500–3000 rpm when a rotating disc electrode is used. The effect of the duration of the rest period is not significant for square wave stripping voltammetry, however, analytical signals can be increased 10 and more times when potentiometric stripping analysis is applied.     

Cholinesterase sensors based on screen-printed electrodes for detection of organophosphorus and carbamic pesticides

Cholinesterase sensors based on screen-printed electrodes modified with polyaniline, 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), and Prussian blue have been developed and tested for detection of anticholinesterase pesticides in aqueous solution and in spiked grape juice. The influence of enzyme source and detection mode on biosensor performance was explored. It was shown that modification of the electrodes results in significant improvement of their analytical characteristics for pesticide determination. Thus, the slopes of the calibration curves obtained with modified electrodes were increased twofold and the detection limits of the pesticides were reduced by factors of 1.6 to 1.8 in comparison with the use of unmodified transducers. The biosensors developed make it possible to detect down to 2×10^–8 mol L^–1 chloropyrifos-methyl, 5×10^–8 mol L^–1 coumaphos, and 8×10^–9 mol L^–1 carbofuran in aqueous solution and grape juice. The optimal conditions for grape juice pretreatment were determined to diminish interference from the sample matrix.Abbreviations ChE Cholinesterase - TCNQ 7,7,8,8-Tetracyanoquinodimethane - ChO Choline oxidase - AChE Acetylcholinesterase - BChE Butyrylcholinesterase - BSA Bovine serum albumin - 2-PAM 2-Pyridine aldoxime methiodide     

Determination of Ammonium by Stripping Voltammetry

The behavior of ammonium ions at amalgam electrodes was studied by cyclic and stripping voltammetry. It was found that the oxidation peak of an ammonium hydride amalgam can be used as the analytical signal. Conditions were selected for the determination of ammonium ions in aqueous solutions at a mercury film electrode by stripping voltammetry using potassium chloride as the supporting electrolyte. The determination limit for ammonium ions was found to be 2 × 10^–7M (0.004 mg/L). The procedure was tested in river waters of the Ob' basin and in the atmospheric air.     

Electrode Modified with Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) Film of Calixarenes for Preconcentration and Stripping Analysis of Hg(II)

A new type of current sensor, Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) film of calixarene on the surface of glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was prepared for determination of mercury by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV). An anodic stripping peak was obtained at 0.15 V (vs. SCE) by scanning the potential from ?0.6 to +0.6 V. Compared with a bare GCE, the LB film coated electrode greatly improves the sensitivity of measuring mercury ion. The fabricated electrode in a 0.1 M H₂SO₄+0.01 M HCl solution shows a linear voltammetric response in the range of 0.07–40 μg L^?1 and detection limit of 0.04 μg L^?1 (ca. 2×10^?10 M). The high sensitivity, selectivity, and stability of this LB film modified electrode demonstrates its practical application for a simple, rapid and economical determination of Hg²⁺ in a water sample.     

Adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of dimenhydrinate at a hanging mercury drop electrode

Dimenhydrinate exhibits a single adsorptive stripping peak at a hanging mercury drop electrode after accumulation at 0.0V vs Ag/AgCl electrode at pH 3.8 (acetate buffer). The addition of trace amounts of copper ions enhanced the dimenhydrinate peak and its height depends on the concentration of each dimenhydrinate and Cu²⁺. The adsorptive stripping response was evaluated with respect to accumulation time and potential, concentration dependence, electrolyte, the presence of other purines, surfactants and other metal ions, and some variables. The calibration graph for dimenhydrinate determination is linear over the range 2.0×10^–8–2.0×10^–7 M (pre-concentration for 60s). The correlation factor is found to be 0.985 and RSD is 3.2% at 1.0×10^–7 M. Detection limit is 1.0×10^–8 M after 5 min accumulation. The determination of dimenhydrinate in pharmaceutical formulations by the proposed method is also reported.     

Adsorptive Voltammetric Study of Thorium–Alizarin Complexon Complex at a Carbon Paste Electrode

A new sensitive adsorptive voltammetric procedure is described for trace measurement of thorium. It is based on the cathodic stripping peak of the thorium–alizarin complexon (ALC) complex at a carbon paste electrode (CPE). The complex of Th(IV) with alizarin is adsorbed at a CPE in a mixed buffer solution (pH 5.0) which consists of 0.1mol·L^–1 sodium acetate and 0.04mol·L^–1 potassium biphthalate, yielding a sensitive cathodic voltammetric peak corresponding to the reduction of alizarin in the complex at –0.57V (vs. SCE). The second-order derivative peak current of the complex is linearly dependent upon the concentration of Th(IV) over the range of 3.0×10^–9 8.0×10^–7mol·L^–1. The detection limit is 1.0×10^–9mol·L^–1 for 180s accumulation. The molar ratio of each component in the complex was estimated as n_Th(IV):n_ALC=1:1 by a continuous variation method. The electrode processes of the Th(IV)–alizarin complex at a CPE were investigated. The procedure was successfully applied to the trace determination of thorium in ore and clay samples.     

Determination of Amitraz Pesticide by Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry on the Hanging Mercury Drop Electrode

 A sensitive method for the determination of amitraz pesticide at nanomolar level by adsorptive stripping voltammetry at a hanging mercury drop electrode is described. The cyclic voltammograms demonstrate the adsorption of this compound on the mercury electrode. A systematic study of the various experimental parameters, that affect the stripping response, was carried out by differential pulse voltammetry. Using an accumulation potential of −0.50 V, and 30 s accumulation time, the limit of detection was found to be 2.3 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹ and the relative standard deviations (n = 5) was 2.2% at concentration level of 5.0 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ of amitraz. The influence of diverse ions and some other pesticides was investigated. Finally, the method was applied to the determination of amitraz in spiked soil and water. The relative standard deviation is 4.5% for 5 determinations of amitraz in water and 3.2% for 5 determinations in soil. Received December 6, 2000. Revision March 1, 2001.