Interferences in a polypyrrole-based amperometric ammonia sensor

The main focus of this article is on the interferences encountered when an amperometric ammonia sensor is used in matrices that are typical in clinical samples. The sensor is tested in presence of such interferences and ways to suppress them by sensor modification are presented. Two modification procedures are evaluated by comparing the stabilities, detection limits and signal-to-noise ratios of such sensors. Further, the issue of the ammonia-sensing mechanism of the polypyrrole electrode is addressed. Evidence is shown that a mobile counterion may be required for proper sensor operation. Such evidence supports the idea that polypyrrole undergoes a reversible redox reaction when ammonia is detected at submillimolar concentrations.     

A renewable copper electrode as an amperometric flow detector for nitrate determination in mineral water and soft drink samples

A novel approach was developed for nitrate analysis in a FIA configuration with amperometric detection (E = −0.48 V). Sensitive and reproducible current measurements were achieved by using a copper electrode activated with a controlled potential protocol. The response of the FIA amperometric method was linear over the range from 0.1 to 2.5 mmol L⁻¹ nitrate with a detection limit of 4.2 μmol L⁻¹ (S/N = 3). The repeatability of measurements was determined as 4.7% (n = 9) at the best conditions (flow rate: 3.0 mL min⁻¹, sample volume: 150 μL and nitrate concentration: 0.5 mmol L⁻¹) with a sampling rate of 60 samples h⁻¹. The method was employed for the determination of nitrate in mineral water and soft drink samples and the results were in agreement with those obtained by using a recommended procedure. Studies towards a selective monitoring of nitrite were also performed in samples containing nitrate by carrying out measurements at a less negative potential (−0.20 V).     

Capillary electrophoretic determination of inorganic anions in the drainage and surface water samples.

Capillary electrophoresis was used for separation and quantitation of several inorganic anions in the drainage and surface water samples from the region with extensive use of fertilisers. Baseline separation of 13 small anions including nitrite and nitrate up to the concentrations of 100 mg/l was achieved in less than 5 min. The electrolyte consisted of 3 mM K2CrO4, 30 microM cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and 3 mM boric acid at pH 8. The method yielded precisions of 1.8-7.2% (RSD, n = 10) and detection limits from 4 micrograms/l (Cl-) up to 500 micrograms/l (citrate). The results of the CE method were compared to ion chromatography using water-acetonitrile (86:14) at pH 8.6 adjusted with NaOH as the mobile phase and consistent results were obtained.     

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.     

刚果红-溴化十六烷基吡啶光度法测定阴离子表面活性剂

日常生活中常用的表面活性剂多数是阴离子洗涤剂.洗涤剂进入水环境后,其分子聚集在水和其它介质的表面,产生泡沫、乳化和微粒悬浮等现象,隔绝水中氧与空气中氧的交换,影响水体净化,导致水质恶化,由此对水体的环境污染问题越来越严重,引起了人们的重视.因此, 准确快速地测定阴离子表面活性剂的含量, 对于研究其在环境中的转化、迁移及对生理过程的影响, 均具有重要意义.     

Effect of an intermediate on the amperometric response of a polypyrrole-based formate biosensing membrane

It was evidenced that an intermediate exists in the polypyrrole conjugation system, resulting in a negative response. This fact is a disadvantage with respect to the amperometric response, due to the changing background current that overlaps with the response of the biosensing system. The solution to this problem is to use an overoxidised polypyrrole film for stabilising the background.     

Supported liquid membranes for the determination of vanillin in food samples with amperometric detection

A supported liquid membrane system has been developed for the extraction of vanillin from food samples. A porous PTFE membrane is impregnated with an organic solvent, which forms a barrier between two aqueous phases. The analyte is extracted from a donor phase into the hydrophobic membrane and then back extracted into a second aqueous solution, the acceptor. The determination (100–1400 μg ml⁻¹ vanillin) was performed using a PVC-graphite composite electrode versus Ag/AgCl/3MKCl at +0.850 V placed in a wall-jet flow cell as amperometric detector. The solid sample is directly placed in the membrane unit without any treatment, and the analyte was extracted from the sample, passes through the membrane and conduced to the flow cell by the acceptor stream. The limit of detection (3σ) was 44 μg ml⁻¹. The method was applied to the determination of vanillin (9–606 μg g⁻¹) in food samples.     

Capillary zone electrophoresis for the determination of light-absorbing anions in environmental samples.

A rapid and simple method for separation and determination of inorganic anions by capillary zone electrophoresis was described. The detection was carried out directly with a diode array detector. The experimental conditions, such as concentration of carrier electrolyte, capillary length, voltage, and temperature were optimized. In order to improve selectivity, different organic modifiers were also investigated. The baseline separation of 10 light-absorbing anions was accomplished within 3.5 min with a background electrolyte consisting of 50 mM sodium tetraborate containing 5% MeOH. Linear plots were obtained in the concentration range of 0.1-10 microg/ml. With sample stacking injection, the quantitation limits of the anions were found to be in the range of 0.02-0.1 microg/ml. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of inorganic anions in environmental samples and in effluents of a power plant.     

Development of an MSFIA-MPFS pre-treatment method for radium determination in water samples

A new automatic method for preconcentration and separation of radium in water samples has been developed. Such method combines both multisyringe (MSFIA) and multi-pumping (MPFS) flow analysis techniques allowing to analyze larger sample volumes with a higher throughput than other previous methodologies. Ra adsorbed on MnO₂, deposited on cotton fiber, is eluted with hydroxylamine and subsequently coprecipitated with BaSO₄. ²²⁶Ra activity is determined off-line by using a low background proportional counter. The procedure yield is (90 ± 3)% and its lower limit of detection 0.05 Bq L⁻¹. This method has been applied satisfactorily to different types of spiked water (tap, mineral and seawater).     

A flow analysis system with an amperometric detector for the determination of hydrogen sulphide in waters

 A flow analysis system with an amperometric H₂S detector and a gas extraction unit as well as an integrated coulometric calibration unit is described, which allows an on-line determination of hydrogen sulphide in aquatic samples. By variation of different parameters (e.g. flow rate, gas injection volume, pH of solution) a wide dynamic working range of concentrations from 1 μmol/l H₂S to 750 μmol/l is accessible. The sampling rate is about 36 samples h⁻¹ using an average flow rate of 1.78 ml/min and a gas injection volume of 28 μl. The measuring system is designed as a portable device. In combination with the polyethylene-tube of a PTFE-underwater pump field-measurements on board are possible. Received: 16 February 1995/Revised: 5 April 1995/Accepted: 11 April 1995 Acknowledgements. This work was supported by the Bundesminister für Forschung und Technologie under the project “DYSMON II” (03F0123D) and by the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie zur F?rderung von Chemie und Biologischer Chemie. Correspondence to: P. Jeroschewski     

Polydiphenylamine-dodecyl sulfate films for the simultaneous amperometric determination of electroinactive anions and cations in ion-exclusion cation-exchange chromatography

An amperometric detector with two working electrodes both modified with polydiphenylamine-dodecyl sulfate (PDPA-DS) was successfully used for the simultaneous determination of electroinactive anions (SO42-, Cl-, NO3-) and cations (Na+, NH4+ and K+) in single-column ion-exclusion cation-exchange chromatography (IEC-CEC). The PDPA-DS chemical modified electrode (CME) was based on the incorporation of dodecyl sulfate (DS) into PDPA by electropolymerization of diphenylamine in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The electrochemical responses against the anions and cations at the PDPA-DS CME in differential pulse voltammetry were studied. A set of well-defined peaks of electroinactive anions and cations were obtained. The anions and cations were detected conveniently and reproducibly in a linear concentration range 0.01-5.0 mmol/L and their detection limits were in the range 5-9 micromol/L at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 (S/N = 3). The proposed method was quick, sensitive and simple and was successfully applied to the analysis of lake water samples. The working electrode was stable over one week period of operation with no evidence of chemical and mechanical deterioration.     

Development and validation of a highly sensitive ELISA for the determination of pharmaceutical indomethacin in water samples

The development and validation of a highly sensitive and specific indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of pharmaceutical indomethacin in water samples was presented. The immunogen and coating antigen were prepared by covalently linking indomethacin to bovine serum albumin and ovalbumin by anhydride ester method. Two rabbits were immunized by standard immunization processes and the superior antibody was characterized in terms of sensitivity, specificity, precision, accuracy and stability. Under optimal experimental conditions, the standard curve was constructed in the concentration range of 0.01-10 ng/mL. For 10 consecutive standard curves run in 2 weeks, IC₅₀ value (the concentration of analyte producing 50% of inhibition) were found within 0.10-0.25 ng/mL, and the detection limit (DL) at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 (S/N = 3) was about 0.01 ng/mL. The antiserum recognized acemetacin, a precursor of indomethacin with 92.3% cross-reactivity, while the cross-reactivity values of antiserum with other tested compounds were very low. From the spiking experiments, the recoveries were found within 98-123%. The ELISA was applied for the determination of indomethacin in different water samples and the results were confirmed by conventional HPLC. The correlation coefficient of 0.988 was obtained, demonstrating a good correlation of ELISA with HPLC.     

Polydiphenylamine-dodecyl sulfate films for the simultaneous amperometric determination of electroinactive anions and cations in ion-exclusion cation-exchange chromatography

An amperometric detector with two working electrodes both modified with polydiphenylamine-dodecyl sulfate (PDPA-DS) was successfully used for the simultaneous determination of electroinactive anions (SO₄ ^2–, Cl^–, NO₃ ^–) and cations (Na⁺, NH₄ ⁺ and K⁺) in single-column ion-exclusion cation-exchange chromatography (IEC-CEC). The PDPA-DS chemical modified electrode (CME) was based on the incorporation of dodecyl sulfate (DS) into PDPA by electropolymerization of diphenylamine in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The electrochemical responses against the anions and cations at the PDPA-DS CME in differential pulse voltammetry were studied. A set of well-defined peaks of electroinactive anions and cations were obtained. The anions and cations were detected conveniently and reproducibly in a linear concentration range 0.01–5.0 mmol/L and their detection limits were in the range 5–9 μmol/L at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 (S/N = 3). The proposed method was quick, sensitive and simple and was successfully applied to the analysis of lake water samples. The working electrode was stable over one week period of operation with no evidence of chemical and mechanical deterioration.     

Comparison of the determination of anions in dissolved organic carbon-loaded water samples by ion chromatography and photometric methods

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in water samples can cause strong interferences in photometric detection methods using complexing reactions. Ion chromatography was demonstrated to minimize DOC effects on the determination of anions. Further, it can be used to examine the accuracy of photometric methods by calculating the difference in the ion balance using ion chromatographic values.     

间接酶联免疫吸附分析法对环境水样中左旋18-甲基炔诺酮含量的测定

本文报道测定环境水样中的左旋18-甲基炔诺酮(NG)的间接酶联免疫吸附分析法(ELISA)。通过对左旋18-甲基炔诺酮的化学修饰,将左旋18-甲基炔诺酮与蛋白质载体结合,制成完全免疫抗原,经过多次动物免疫得到了兔抗左旋18-甲基炔诺酮抗体,在优化实验条件的基础上,建立了灵敏度高、特异性强、简便、稳定的测定水样中左旋18-甲基炔诺酮的酶联免疫吸附分析方法。IC50值(标准曲线中吸光度抑制至最大吸光度值的50%时所对应的待测物浓度)在1μg/L~5μg/L,最低检出限为0.05μg/L~0.1μg/L。水样的加标回收率在88%~140%之间。真实环境水样中,均发现含有左旋18-甲基炔诺酮,浓度在0.3μg/L-0.6μg/L之间。     

Low pressure ion chromatography with a low cost paired emitter-detector diode based detector for the determination of alkaline earth metals in water samples

The use of a low pressure ion chromatograph based upon short (25 mm × 4.6 mm) surfactant coated monolithic columns and a low cost paired emitter-detector diode (PEDD) based detector, for the determination of alkaline earth metals in aqueous matrices is presented. The system was applied to the separation of magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium in less than 7 min using a 0.15 M KCl mobile phase at pH 3, with post-column reaction detection at 570 nm using o-cresolphthalein complexone. A comparison of the performance of the PEDD detector with a standard laboratory absorbance detector is shown, with limits of detection for magnesium and calcium using the low cost PEDD detector equal to 0.16 and 0.23 mg L⁻¹, respectively. Finally, the developed system was used for the determination of calcium and magnesium in a commercial spring water sample.     

Combination of amperometric detector & UV detector for capillary electrophoresis

A new electrochemical cell assembly with the combination of UV and amperometric detector (AD) based on their complementarity was described. A Nafion tubing junction was used to decouple the high voltage from the separation capillary in the rear of on-column UV detector. In this mode, the electroactive and inert compounds could be detected by UV and AD at the same time. Aromatic amines were determined with the UV and the end-column AD detection to evaluate the performances of the cell assembly. Such an improved electrochemical detector could match the capillary with different diameters. By simple adjustment of the screws, the positioning of the working electrode and the detection capillary was easily gained without microscope. It is also very easy to assemble and disassemble the working electrode when needed.