Lead-selective electrodes based on lead(IV) oxide

Lead(IV) oxide electrodes are shown to give near-theoretical calibration slopes for lead(II) ions over the range 10^?3–10^?5 mol l^?1, and to have near-theoretical standard potentials in different acidic media. They are compared with lead sulphide-silver sulphide membrane electrodes and shown to be more tolerant of acidity and copper(II), mercury(II) and iron(III) ions. Iron(II) and manganese(II), however, interfere significantly. Some of the advantages of the lead(IV) oxide electrode are brought out in the determination of the solubility product of lead sulphate; implications for constructing phosphate- and sulphate-sensitive electrodes are mentioned.     

Separation of dissolved alkyllead and inorganic lead species by coprecipitation with barium sulphate

Coprecipitation with barium sulphate is shown to be an efficient and convenient method of preventing the interference of relatively large amounts of inorganic lead in the determination of alkyllead species by differential-pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. The coprecipitation method has several advantages over complexation of lead with EDTA; ionic alkyllead can be measured in solutions of low pH (pH < 2), or at deposition potentials more negative than ?1.0 V.     

Adsorption studies of cerium on lead dioxide from aqueous solutions

The adsorption of cerium from aqueous solutions on lead dioxide has been investigated and optimized as a function of pH, equilibration time, sorbate and sorbent concentrations. The effect of other anions and cations on its adsorption has also been studied. Citrate, EDTA, tartrate, oxalate, U(VI), Th(IV), Pb(II), Cr(III) and Al(III) drastically reduce the adsorption. Adsorption of other metal ions on the same oxide has been measured under identical conditions. The distribution coefficient indicates that cerium can be separated from Fe(III), Tc(VII), In(III), Ag(I), Hg(II) and Ta(V). The data fitted very well to Freundlich as well as Dubinin-Raduskevich (D-R) isotherms. A mean free energy of sorption 11.62±0.2 kJ·mol^–1 was calculated, using the D-R equation and corresponds to an ion exchange reaction.     

Adsorption of radiocobalt on lead dioxide from aqueous solution

Adsorption of cobalt on lead dioxide from aqueous solutions has been studied in relation to shaking time, amount of adsorbent, pH, and concentration of the adsorbate. The data fitted very well Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms and their corresponding constants were calculated. In another set of experiments the influence of different anions and cations on the adsorption of cobalt under the optimum experimental conditions have been determined. EDTA, tartrate, citrate, thiocyanate, oxalate, U(VI), Al(III), Fe(III), Cr(III), and Th(IV), drastically reduced adsorption of cobalt. Therefore these anions and cations should be removed before adsorption of cobalt on lead dioxide. Adsorption of other metal ions on the oxide were measured under identical conditions. TheK _D values indicate that cobalt can be separated successfully from Hg(II), Ag(I), Ta(V), In(III) and Tc(VII).     

Indirect complexometric determination of cadmium(II) using 1,10-phenanthroline as selective masking agent

An indirect complexometric method is described for the determination of cadmium(II), 1,10-phenanthroline being used as masking agent. Cadmium(II) in a given sample solution is initially complexed with an excess of EDTA and the surplus EDTA is titrated with lead nitrate solution at pH 5.0–6.0 (hexamine), using xylenol orange as indicator. An excess of 1,10-phenanthroline is then added and the EDTA released from the Cd-EDTA complex is titrated with standard lead nitrate solution. Results are obtained for 1.5–57 mg of Cd with relative errors 0.90% and standard deviations 0.06 mg. Cu(II), Co(II), Hg(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Pd(II), Tl(III), Au(III) and Sn(IV) interfere, but can be easily masked. The method is applied for the determination of cadmium in synthetic alloy solutions.     

Determination of lead in solution with a piezoelectric quartz crystal coated with copper oleate

Copper(II) oleate was coated on a piezoelectric quartz crystal, and the copper removed by passing EDTA solution. The remaining coating reacted with aluminium, copper(II), iron(III) and lead ions in a flowing acidic solution, to form absorbed compounds which changed the frequency of the crystal. Lead (3–40 μM) could be determined at pH 5.5–5.8 with good reproducibility. Interfering metal ions (Al³⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺) were masked with acetylacetone.     

Application of potentiometric stripping analysis to compleximetric titrations

Samples that are 0.1–10 mM in lead(II) or 0.025–0.25 mM in bismuth(III) can be titrated with EDTA and the titrations monitored by means of computerized potentiometric stripping analysis. The coefficients of variation are 0.12–0.40%; systematic errors are estimated from computer-calculated titration curves using conditional constants obtained from the titration curves. The conditional stability constants for calcium(II), manganese(II) and lanthanum(II) in 0.5 M sodium chloride are determined from the exchange reaction with the lead—EDTA complex.     

Determination and differentiation of nitrilotriacetic acid and ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid

Ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA) and nitrilotri-acetic acid (NTA) can be differentiated and determined by titration with metal ions to visual metallochromic dye end-points. EDTA can be determined without interference from NTA, either by titrating with copper(II) at pH 5 using PAN indicator, or by titrating with iron(III) at pH 6 and 70 degrees using Tiron indicator. The total chelating power (EDTA + NTA) can be determined either by titrating with lead(II) at pH 4.4 using dithizone indicator, or by titrating with iron(III) at pH 3.5 using Tiron indicator ; NTA is determined by difference. The lowest concentration at which NTA can be determined in EDTA by titration to the iron(III)-Tiron end-point is about 1 wt.%. The apparent stability constants of the iron(III)-Tiron complexes under the conditions of the titration at pH 3.5 and pH 6 have been determined using the method of continuous variations.     

Determination of thallium in lead salts by differential pulse anodic-stripping voltammetry

The determination of trace levels of thallium in lead and lead salts by differential pulse anodic-stripping voltammetry has been made possible by using a surfactant as an electrochemical masking agent in addition to a complexing agent. In 0.2M EDTA at pH 4.5 as supporting electrolyte without surfactant, lead at concentrations below 0.5mM does not give a peak. When the electrolyte also contains tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBAC) at 0.01 M concentration, lead can be tolerated at concentrations up to 0.05M, while the height of the thallium peak is unaffected. It is thus possible to determine 5nM T1(I) in the presence of 0.05M Pb(II), i.e., Tl at the 1 x 10(-5)% level in lead. The precision of the determination (1-4%) and the recovery are satisfactory. Neither an 800-fold excess ratio of Cu(II) to Tl(I) nor a 10(7)-fold ratio of Bi(III) interferes in the determination. Thallium has been determined in a range of lead salts of various degrees of purity.     

Selective and quantitative separation of zinc and lead from other elements by cation-exchange chromatography in hydrohalic acid-acetone solutions

Zinc and lead can be separated from Cd, Bi(III), In and V(V) by eluting these elements with 0.2M hydrochloric acid in 60% acetone from a column of AG50W-X8 cation-exchange resin, zinc and lead being retained. Mercury(II), Tl(III), As(III), Au(III), Sn(IV), Mo(VI), W(VI) and the platinum metals have not been investigated quantitatively, but from their distribution coefficients, should also be eluted. Vanadium(V), Mo(VI) and W(VI) require the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Zinc and lead can be eluted with 0.5M hydrochloric acid in 60% acetone or 0.5M hydrobromic acid in 65% acetone and determined by AAS; the alkali and alkaline-earth metal ions, Mn(II), Co, Ni, Cu(II), Fe(III), Al, Ga, Cr(III), Ti(IV), Zr, Hf, Th, Sc, Y, La and the lanthanides are retained on the column, except for a small fraction of copper eluted with zinc and lead. Separations are sharp and quantitative. The method has successfully been applied to determination of zinc and lead in three silicate rocks and a sediment.     

The application of tiron in photometric titrations

Tiron is a suitable titrant for the direct, selective photometric titration of bismuth(III), iron(III) and thorium(IV) in acidic solutions. Metal ions such as lead(II), nickeI(II) and copper(II) do not interfere; this is in contrast with titrations in which EDTA or a similar chelating agent is used as the titrant.     

The formation and properties of mixed lead sulfide—silver sulfide membranes for lead(II)-selective electrodes

The preparation and behaviour of a lead(II)-selective electrode made of mixed silver sulfide-lead sulfide are discussed and compared with those of a copper(II)-selective electrode. X-ray diffraction showed that hot-pressing of the membrane causes changes in the crystalline structure of the material. Responses to lead(II), sulfide, and hydroxide were measured ; potential-pH curves were determined in solutions containing EDTA, NTA, Tetren or Trien with and without the lead complex. The results are similar to those obtained for the copper-i.s.e. Data are given for titrations, selectivity coefficients, and response times. The response of the lead-i.s.e. to an addition of ligand is faster for Trien than for EDTA. This difference is large for the copper-i.s.e. These response rates may be correlated with potential-pH curves in the presence of ligands.     

Analysis of tellurides of lead and tin by automatic titrations

An analytical method based on automatic potentiometric EDTA and redox titrations was developed for the analysis of tellurides of lead and tin.First, the sum of lead and tin is titrated at pH 4.5 by adding a known excess of EDTA and back-titrating with a standard lead solution. After addition of ammonium fluoride to mask the tin, the EDTA released from the Sn-EDTA complex is titrated with standard lead solution. Alternatively, after the determination of total lead and tin, lead may be determined by back-titration with standard lead on a separate sample aliquot using tartaric acid to mask the tin. Tellurium is separated as tellurous acid, which is then dissolved in a dilute sulfuric acid solution and oxidized by permanganate at room temperature; the excess permanganate is back-titrated with iron(II) solution automatically. This titration may also be used to determine tellurium in the presence of lead and tin after treatment with perchloric acid. Accuracies of 0.1-0.2% can be obtained.     

An evaluation of some commercial lead(II)-selective electrodes

Two types of commercial lead(II)-selective electrode, the Orion 94-82 and the R??i?ka lead Selectrode, are compared. Calibration curves were determined in both buffered and unbuffered lead-ion solutions repeatedly for several weeks. Selectivities with respect to copper(II), silver(I), mercury(II), iron(III), zinc and cadmium were examined as well as the pH response by the mixed solution method. The response times of the electrodes were also studied.     

Selective complexometric determination of mercury with sulphite as indirect masking reagent

A complexo-titrimetric method for the determination of mercury(II) in the presence of other metal ions is described, based on the selective masking ability of sulphite ion towards Hg(II). Mercury in a given sample solution is initially complexed with a known excess of EDTA and the surplus EDTA titrated with zinc sulphate solution at pH 5.0–6.0 (hexamine), using xylenol orange (or methylthymol blue) as indicator. An excess of solid sodium sulphite is then added to decompose the Hg(II)-EDTA complex and the released EDTA is titrated with standard zinc sulphate solution. Reproducible and accurate results are obtained for 9.9–99 mg Hg with relative errors < 0.35% and standard deviations < 0.05 mg. The effects of various cations and anions are studied.     

Sorption of trace metals on human hair and application for cadmium and lead pre-concentration with flame atomic absorption determination

Human hair shavings were characterized as a sorbent for trace metals. At pH 7.0 metal sorption follows the order Pb(II)>Cd(II)>Cr(VI)>Fe(III)>Cu(II)>Ni(II)>Mn(VI). Metal recovery is quantitative for Pb and Cd after 30 min of equilibration. Recovery of other metals is less quantitative and varies with pH. For example, while Cu is best recovered at pH 5, Ni and Mn are sorbed optimally in the basic pH region. Sorbed metals can be washed off the sorbent with 0.5 mol L(-1) strong mineral acids or more completely with 0.1 mol L(-1) ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Typical sorption isotherms were obtained for Cd and Pb with sorption capacities of 39 and 26 micromol g(-1), respectively.Hair sorbent was used for 40-fold pre-concentration of Cd and Pb from treated wastewater samples followed by flame atomic absorption spectroscopic (FAAS) determination. Comparison of the data obtained for lead and cadmium by the proposed pre-concentration method with that by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS) showed 79 to 86% recovery and comparable analytical precision. Common cations and anions at the levels normally present in natural water do not interfere in the proposed pre-concentration-FAAS method.     

Dithiocarbaminoacetic acid as a masking agent in complexometry

Dithiocarbaminoacetic acid (TCA) forms very stable, water soluble complexes with a number of metal ions and is a suitable masking agent in complexometry. TCA masks from EDTA and complexometric indicators at pH 2-6 the following elements: bismuth(III), indium(III), thallium(III), cadmium(II), lead(II), mercury(II) and copper(II), thus making possible the complexometric determination of other elements in their presence.     

The influence of complexing agents on the effectiveness of electrochemical masking with anionic surfactants in anodic stripping voltammetry

The influence of sodium dodecyl sulphate, sodium dodecyl sulphonate and sodium stearinate on the anodic stripping peaks of Tl(I), Pb(II), Cd(II), Cu(II) and In(III) was investigated. The supporting electrolytes were 0.5M sodium sulphate solution, 0.2M citrate solution (pH 3.7, 4.6 and 7.3), 0.5M tartrate solution (pH 4.4) and 0.1M solution of EDTA (pH 4.4). The composition of complex compounds forming in a solution under experimental conditions was defined. The conditions of ion reduction of metals on hanging mercury electrode during the electrolytical deposition were investigated. The investigation included an analysis of voltammetric curves of the metal ions. The obtained results suggest that "electrochemical masking" is much stronger in electrolytes containing a complexing agent than in the sodium sulphate solution. The influence of the complexing agent may not be explained in terms of the interaction between the form of the complex and the charge of the adsorbed surfactant particles; rather the complexing process is connected with indirect inhibition, i.e., by decreasing the rate of charge transfer reaction.     

Separation of lead sulphate from barium sulphate in their determination in glass

The conventional method for separation of lead from a combined lead and barium sulphate precipitate by extraction with ammonium acetate has been critically studied. The results show that quantitative separation of lead is possible only when the molar concentration ratio of barium to lead is 4.2 or above, but at ratios below 4.2 the method fails because of the formation of a solid solution of lead and barium sulphates which is maximal at initial mole-ratio 0.42. The lead in the solid solution, however, forms a strong soluble complex with EDTA and can be quantitatively separated. Based on this, a gravimetric method has been worked out for determination of lead and barium in glass.     

Study of interaction of iron and lead during their uptake process in wheat roots by total-reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Microwave assisted acidic digestion and total-reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF) was used for the determination of lead and iron in wheat roots cultured in CaSO₄ solution, and treated with Pb(NO₃)₂ and Fe(III)–citrate or Fe(III)–EDTA under controlled conditions, respectively. It was established that lead has a stimulation effect on the iron uptake in the presence of Fe(III)–citrate. The lead uptake, however, is hardly influenced by iron independently from the complex forming agents applied. To check the stability of the accumulated iron and lead constituents, some of the roots were washed with various solutions and the removable iron and lead were also measured by TXRF. These experiments indicate that the presence of lead results in higher stability of iron constituents in the root; however, iron does not have any effect on the lead constituents, the stabilities of which increase in the order Pb–citrate<Pb–(cell wall)<Pb–EDTA. © 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.