Electrochemical study and voltammetric determination of sodium diethyldithiocarbamate using silver nanoparticles solid amalgam electrode

We report in this work, for the first time, the voltammetric study and the development of an electroanalytical method for the determination of sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (Na-DDC) using solid amalgam electrode fabricated with silver nanoparticles. The experimental parameters were studied and the best voltammetric response was reached when using 0.02 mol L^–1 Britton–Robinson buffer (pH = 5.5). Cyclic voltammograms of the substance presented two voltammetric signals: one cathodic peak at E_p = – 0.55 V and one anodic peak at E_p = – 0.49 V. The redox process of Na-DDC showed itself as an adsorption-controlled and quasi-reversible system. A mechanism for this electrochemical reaction was proposed. The analytical studies employed square-wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry (SWAdSV) and were based on the cathodic signal given by Na-DDC. Good linearity was observed in the concentration range from 2.83 × 10^–7 mol L^–1 to 6.89 × 10^–6 mol L^–1. The obtained limit of detection was 7.26 × 10^–8 mol L^–1. The electroanalytical approach described here was successfully employed for the determination of Na-DDC in river water at levels of concentration from 1.46 × 10^–7 mol L^–1 to 1.46 × 10^–6 mol L^–1 with good repeatability and reproducibility (RSD values of 4.2% and 5.9%, respectively). The values found during these determinations presented good concordance when compared with the expected values. According to the data presented here, the solid amalgam electrode fabricated with silver nanoparticles may be seen as an effective and green tool for the electrochemical analysis of Na-DDC and also other reducible compounds that usually require mercury-based electrode surfaces.