Stripping Chronopotentiometry and Stripping Voltammetry of Mixtures of Heavy Metal Ions Producing Close Signals: The Cd(II)‐Pb(II)‐Phthalate System

The effects of the proximity of the signals of two heavy metal ions in stripping voltammetry (SV) and constant‐current stripping chronopotentiometry (SCP) is studied at mercury drop (HMDE) and mercury film (MFE) electrodes. For this purpose, the Cd(II)‐Pb(II)‐phthalate system is used, taking advantage of the approaching of the signals corresponding to Cd(II)‐phthalate and Pb(II)‐phthalate labile complexes as phthalate is added to mixtures of Cd(II) and Pb(II)‐ions. The results are compared with those obtained by differential pulse polarography (DPP) and by stripping measurements on the Pb(II)‐phthalate system alone, showing discrepancies in SCP data under nondepletive conditions and negligible differences in the other cases.     

Application of sampled-d.c. anodic stripping voltammetry to metal/fulvic acid equilibria

The use of anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) to determine the labile metal fraction in metal/ fulvic acid equilibrium systems is discussed. A method is described for distinguishing between the contributions of processes in the reduction and oxidation steps to the observed anodic (stripping) current. This method, which facilitates separate examination of the two processes, is based on timed addition of fulvic acids during the deposition step, on pH control, and on measurement of sampled-d.c. ASV peak areas (Faradaic charge) for metal/fulvic acid solutions. Results are presented for copper(Il) and lead(Il) complexes with six colloid-free soil-derived fulvic acids. In contrast to differential-pulse ASV, the stripping current measured by sampled-d.c. ASV showed no measurable contribution from ligand adsorption on the mercury drop. For heterogeneous ligand systems, such as fulvic acid, use of stripping peak heights over-estimates the fraction of non-labile metal complex because peak broadening results from the range of complexes formed in the anodic step.     

Suitability of Stripping Chronopotentiometry for Heavy Metal Speciation Using Hydrogen Peroxide as Oxidant: Application to the Cd(II)‐EDTA‐PMA System

The possibilities of stripping chronopotentiometry (SCP) for heavy metal speciation have been tested in the modality of chemical oxidation using the model systems Cd(II)‐polyacrylic acid (PMA), Cd(II)‐EDTA and Cd(II)‐PMA‐EDTA. The use of 0.03% H₂O₂ as a chemical oxidant provides reliable results from transition times, but peak potentials are dramatically affected by the presence of this reagent. The study suggests that chemical‐oxidation SCP can be a technique complementary to other stripping modalities in the study of inert and macromolecular labile metal complexes.     

Simultaneous Determination of Cadmium,Lead, Copper,and Thallium in Highly Saline Samples by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV) Using Mercury‐Film and Bismuth‐Film Electrodes

This paper describes a comparative study of the simultaneous determination of Cd(II), Pb(II), Tl(I), and Cu(II) in highly saline samples (seawater, hydrothermal fluids, and dialysis concentrates) by ASV using the mercury‐film electrode (MFE) and the bismuth‐film electrode (BiFE) as working electrodes. The features of MFE and BiFE as working electrodes for the single‐run ASV determinations are shown and their performances are compared with that of HMDE under similar conditions. It was observed that the stripping peak of Tl(I) was well separated from Cd(II) and Pb(II) peaks in all the studied saline samples when MFE was used. Because of the severe overlapping of Bi(III) and Cu(II) stripping peaks in the ASV using BiFE, as well as the overlapping of Pb(II) and Tl(I) stripping peaks in the ASV using HMDE, the simultaneous determination of these metals was not possible in highly saline medium using these both working electrodes. The detection limits calculated for the metals using MFE and BiFE (deposition time of 60 s) were between 0.043 and 0.070 μg L^?1 for Cd(II), between 0.060 and 0.10 μg L^?1 for Pb(II) and between 0.70 and 8.12 μg L^?1 for Tl(I) in the saline samples studied. The detection limits calculated for Cu(II) using the MFE were 0.15 and 0.50 μg L^?1 in seawater/hydrothermal fluid and dialysis concentrate samples, respectively. The methods were applied to the simultaneous determination of Cd(II), Pb(II), Tl(I), and Cu(II) in samples of seawater, hydrothermal fluids and dialysis concentrates.     

Determination of trace metal speciation parameters by using screen-printed electrodes in stripping chronopotentiometry without deaerating

The objective of this study was to exploit the advantages of stripping chronopotentiometry (SCP) and stripping chronopotentiometry at scanned deposition potential (SSCP) for trace metal speciation analyses by using thin-film mercury screen-printed electrodes (TMF-SPE). At first, the SCP parameters were optimised for TMF-SPE, in order to reach the complete depletion regime. It has been shown that a stripping current higher than or equal to 10 μA allows this regime to be attained without removing oxygen from the solution.Then, these analytical conditions were used for the construction of SSCP curves for Cd-PDCA and Cd-NTA. When the concentration of free ligand in solution was known, the knowledge of the model describing the SSCP curves in absence and presence of a complex and the use of an effective fitting tool enabled estimating the stability constant and the rate constants for complexation. Further studies with complexes of restricted mobility are however necessary to assess the usefulness of this procedure to also estimate the diffusion coefficient of the complexes. Besides, this study showed that this approach was valid even when ligands were not in excess at the electrode during stripping.     

Increased sensitivity of anodic stripping voltammetry at the hanging mercury drop electrode by ultracathodic deposition

An improved approach to the anodic stripping voltammetric (ASV) determination of heavy metals, using the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE), is reported. It was discovered that using very cathodic accumulation potentials, at which the solvent reduction occurs (overpotential deposition), the voltammetric signals of zinc(II), cadmium(II), lead(II) and copper(II) increase. When compared with the classical methodology a 5 to 10-fold signal increase is obtained. This effect is likely due to both mercury drop oscillation at such cathodic potentials and added local convection at the mercury drop surface caused by the evolution of hydrogen bubbles.     

Direct determination of free metal concentration by implementing stripping chronopotentiometry as the second stage of AGNES

The electroanalytical technique Absence of Gradients and Nernstian Equilibrium Stripping (AGNES) has been extended by applying stripping chronopotentiometry (SCP) as the re-oxidation stage in the determination of the free concentration of Zn(2+), Cd(2+) and Pb(2+). This new approach, called AGNES-SCP, has been implemented with screen-printed electrodes (SPE) and the standard Hanging Mercury Drop Electrode (HMDE). Clear advantages of this variant have been shown: (i) the easy resolution of the peaks of different metals present in mixtures and (ii) the sparing of blanks. A rigorous computation of the faradaic charge along the SCP stage takes into account the contribution of other oxidants, which can be efficiently measured at the end of the deposition stage of AGNES. The free Cd concentration determined in an oxalate solution at pH 6 with an HMDE as the working electrode agreed well with values obtained with a Cd Ion Selective Electrode. The free metal concentration measured using an SPE for the system Cd and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) at pH = 4.8 also conformed well with Visual MINTEQ results.     

Anodic stripping electrochemical analysis of metal nanoparticles

Traditional anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) involves electrodeposition (reduction) of metal ions from solution over some time scale onto a working electrode followed by stripping (oxidation) of the deposited metal in a second step, where the stripping potential and quantity of charge passed provide information about the metal identity and solution concentration, respectively. ASV has recently been extended to the analysis of metal nanoparticles (NPs), which have grown popular because of their fascinating properties tunable by size, shape, and composition. There is a need for improved methods of NP analysis, and because metal NPs can be oxidized to metal ions, ASV is a logical choice. Early studies involved metal NPs as tags for the detection of biomolecules. More recently, anodic stripping has been used to directly analyze the physical, chemical, and structural properties of metal NPs. This review highlights the stripping analysis of NP assemblies on macroelectrodes, individual NPs in solution during collisions with a microelectrode, and a single NP attached to an electrode. A surprising amount of information can be learned from this very simple, low-cost technique.     

Determination of trace impurities in high-purity reagents by mercury thin-film anodic-stripping voltammetry

Summary The use of an amalgamated silver-wire electrode, providing a relatively large rate of film area to volume of mercury, seems to present several advantages over the use of the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) for the determination of trace impurities by anodic-stripping voltammetry (ASV). Peak resolution and sensitivity have both been improved by use of the mercury thin-film electrode (MTFE). Preparation, conservation and treatment of the electrode are simple, requiring brief etching of a silver wire with dilute nitric acid, followed by rinsing, drying and direct amalgamation with mercury. The MTFE is stored in mercury, the excess of which is wiped off before use; it is cleaned by anodic-stripping electrolysis at positive potentials. Under these conditions, ASV produces reproducible peak-heights, with excellent dependence on electrolysis time and concentration of impurities. Samples containing nanogram quantities or less of the impurities of interest, are analysed by a four-step procedure: (1) prolonged pre-electrolysis of the supporting electrolyte,in situ in the voltammetric cell, on an auxiliary MTFE; (2) ASV of the supporting electrolyte on a cleaned MTFE; (3) ASV after the dissolution of the sample; (4) ASV after the addition of standards. The method is suitable for the estimation of traces of Zn(II), Cd(II), Tl(I), Pb(II), Sb(III) and Cu(II) in various high-purity reagents. Most impurities have been adequately determined at the 10^–9–10^–8 M level by the regular procedure, and at the 10^–10–10^–9 M level may be determined if the preconcentration (electrolysis) time and rates of potential sweep are increased. The only disadvantage of the method is that the overvoltage of hydrogen evolution is lower for the MTFE than the HMDE.

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Zusammenfassung Die Verwendung einer amalgamierten Silberdrahtelektrode mit einer im Vergleich zum Quecksilbervolumen großen Oberfläche bietet offenbar verschiedene Vorteile bei der Bestimmung von Spurenbeimengungen durch Anodic-stripping Voltammetry (ASV) gegenüber einem hängenden Quecksilbertropfen (HMDE). Peakauflösung und Empfindlichkeit wurden mit Hilfe der Quecksilberdünnschicht-Elektrode (MTFE) verbessert. Herstellung, Aufbewahrung und Behandlung solcher Elektroden sind einfach; sie erfordern eine kurze Anätzung eines Silberdrahtes mit verd. Salpetersäure, Spülung, Trocknung und Amalgamierung mit Quecksilber. Diese Elektroden werden in Quecksilber aufbewahrt, dessen Überschuß vor der Verwendung weggewischt wird. Sie werden durch Anodic-stripping-Elektrolyse bei positivem Potential gereinigt. Unter diesen Bedingungen gibt ASV reproduzierbare Peakhöhen, die zu der Elektrolysezeit und der Konzentration der Beimengungen in gutem Abhängigkeitsverhältnis stehen. Proben, die Nanogrammengen solcher Beimengungen enthalten, werden nach einem Vierstufenverfahren analysiert: 1. verlängerte Vorelektrolyse des Trägerelektrolyten mittels einer Hilfs-MTFE im Voltammetriegefäß; 2. ASV des Trägerelektrolyten mit einer gereinigten MTFE; 3. ASV nach Auflösung der Probe; 4. ASV nach Zugabe der Standards. Die Methode eignet sich zur Bestimmung von Spuren Zn(II), Cd(II), Tl(I), Pb(II), Sb(III) und Cu(II) in verschiedenen hochreinen Reagenzien. Die meisten dieser Verunreinigungen wurden in der Größenordnung 10^–9 bis 10^–8 M mit Hilfe des regulären Verfahrens bestimmt. In der Größenordnung 10^–10 bis 10^–9 M können sie bei Verlängerung der Anreicherungszeit (elektrolytisch) und Erhöhung des Potentialbereichs bestimmt werden. Der einzige Nachteil des Verfahrens ist, daß die Überspannung zur Wasserstoffentwicklung geringer ist als mit dem hängenden Quecksilbertropfen.

     

Determination of dinoseb by adsorptive stripping voltammetry using a mercury film electrode

An adsorptive stripping voltammetric method for the determination of the pesticide dinoseb (2-sec.-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol) at the mercury film electrode is described. The deposition of the mercury film on a glassy carbon disk electrode was optimized. The temperature, at which the mercury film was deposited, was demonstrated to have a strong influence on the stripping peaks, the first one being much more intense than the second. A systematic study of the variables affecting the stripping response was carried out by differential pulse voltammetry. The results obtained have been compared with those at the HMDE; a significant improvement in the sensitivity of the method developed with the MFE was observed. Using a 300 s accumulation time, the limits of determination and detection were 3.6 × 10^–10 and 1.1 × 10^–10 mol L^–1, respectively. The effect of the presence of several herbicides on the dinoseb response was also tested. The method has been applied to the determination of the pesticide in spiked apple juice at two concentration levels: 12.0 and 1.2 g L^–1 of juice.     

Application of a copper-based mercury film electrode in cathodic stripping voltammetry

The utility of a copper-based mercury film electrode (MFE) in cathodic stripping voltammetry (c.s.v.) is tested by comparing the cyclic and stripping voltammograms obtained with this electrode for thiocyanate, tryptophane, cysteine and benzotriazole against those obtained with the hanging copper-amalgam drop electrode (HCADE) and the HMDE. The cathodic stripping peaks obtained at the copper-based MFE and the HCADE are usually narrower and higher and are located at more negative potentials than the peaks obtained at the HMDE. Lower detection limits and better separations of adjacent peaks are thus achieved, and useful peaks can be separated from the mercury waves obtained with the conventional HMDE. The advantage of the copper-based MFE over the HCADE is its simplicity of preparation and maintenance. Thiocyanate, tryptophane, cysteine and benzotriazole can be determined at the copper-based MFE by c.s.v. with detection limits of 1 × 10^?8, 1 × 10^?8, 5 × 10^?8 mol dm^?3, respectively.     

Application of thin-shielded mercury microelectrodes in anodic stripping voltammetry

The performance in anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) of hemispherical mercury microelectrodes, fabricated by electrodeposition of liquid mercury on the surface of Pt microdisks which were surrounded by a rather thick or thin insulating shield, was compared. The Pt microdisks were produced by sealing a wire of 25 μm diameter into a glass capillary, and by coating the cylindrical length of the Pt wire with a cathodic electrophoretic paint. The ratio of the overall tip radius b, to the basal radius of the electrode a, so-called RG = b/a, was equal to 110 ± 10 and 1.52 ± 0.01 for the thick- and thin-shielded microdisk, respectively. The mercury microelectrodes were characterized by cyclic voltammetry at 1 mV s⁻¹, in 1 mM Ru(NH₃)₆³⁺ aqueous solution. The steady-state voltammogram recorded with the thin-shielded mercury microelectrode displayed less hysteresis, while the steady-state current was about 30% higher than that of the thicker one. This was a consequence of the additional flux due to diffusion from behind the plane of the electrode. The flux enhancement, which was operative at the thin-shielded mercury microelectrode during the deposition step in the ASV experiments, allowed recording stripping peaks for Cd and Pb, which resulted about 32% larger than those recorded at the thicker shielded mercury microelectrode, under same experimental conditions.The usefulness of the thin-shielded mercury microelectrode for ASV measurements in real samples was verified by determining the content of heavy metal ions released in the pore water (pH 4.5) of a soil slurry.     

Determination of azinphos-ethyl insecticide by adsorptive stripping voltammetry on the hanging mercury-drop electrode

The electrochemical characteristics of azinphos-ethyl (APE) have been determined by means of electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry (CV) and adsorptive stripping voltammetry (ASV) at a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) over a wide range of pH from 2.0 to 8.0. The cyclic voltammograms demonstrate the adsorption of this compound at the mercury electrode. A systematic study of the various operational parameters that affect the stripping response was carried out by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). With a preconcentration potential of −0.6 V and a 60 s preconcentration time, the limit of detection was 5.42 × 10⁻⁹ M, and the relative standard deviation (n = 5) was 2.7 % at concentration level of 6.45 × 10⁻⁷ M APE. The degree of interference from diverse ions and some other pesticides on the differential pulse stripping signal for APE was evaluated. Finally, the method was applied to the determination of APM in spiked soil, tap water, and treated wastewater. The text was submitted by the author in English.     

Refreshable mercury film silver based electrode for determination of chromium(VI) using catalytic adsorptive stripping voltammetry

The refreshable mercury film silver based electrode Hg(Ag)FE applied for determination of Cr(VI) traces using catalytic adsorptive striping voltammetry (CAdSV) will be presented. The film electrode is characterized by its very good surface reproducibility (not less than 2%) and long-term stability (1500–2000 measurement cycles). The mechanical refreshing of mercury film is realized in the specially constructed device, in a time shorter than 1–2 s.

In the paper, it will be proved that a mechanically weak hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) may be substituted by mercury film Hg(Ag)FE electrode with a surface area adjustable from 1.5 to 12 mm². For the electrode surface 4 mm² the detection limit obtained for Cr(VI) was 0.19 nM, while the linearity range measured for a 20 s accumulation time was between 0.5 and 50 nM. The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) in determination of Cr(VI) varied from 1 to 5%. The influence of the excess of Cr(III) on determination of Cr(VI) was analyzed using samples from the Dobczyce reservoir spiked with known amounts of Cr(VI) and Cr(III).     

Electrochemistry of riboflavin-binding protein and its interaction with riboflavin

Riboflavin-binding protein (RBP, a carrier of riboflavin) plays an essential role in embryo development. Electrochemical studies of the riboflavin–RBP interactions have been so far limited to changes in polarographic and voltammetric responses of riboflavin because of lack of methods capable to detect electrochemical changes in the RBP responses. Here we used constant current chronopotentiometric stripping analysis (CPSA) with the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) with carbon paste electrode (CPE) to investigate RBP. We found that CPSA of RBP produces electrocatalytic peak H, capable to discriminate between apoprotein and holoprotein forms of RBP. This peak is suitable for studies of RBP–riboflavin interaction at nanomolar concentrations. We observed no sign of a release of riboflavin from holoprotein adsorbed at the HMDE surface. SWV at CPE required higher concentrations of RBP and displayed almost identical oxidation peaks of apoprotein and holoprotein.     

Functioning of antimony film electrode in acid media under cyclic and anodic stripping voltammetry conditions

New insights into the functioning, i.e. electrochemical behaviour and analytical performance, of in situ prepared antimony film electrodes (SbFEs) under square-wave anodic stripping (SW-ASV) and cyclic (CV) voltammetry conditions are presented by studying several key operational parameters using Pb(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II) as model analyte ions. Five different carbon- and metal-based substrate transducer electrodes revealed a clear advantage of the former ones while the concentration of the precursor Sb(III) ion exhibited a distinct influence on the ASV functioning of the SbFE. Among six acids examined as potential supporting electrolytes the HNO₃ was demonstrated to yield nearly identical results in conducting ASV experiments with SbFE as so far almost exclusively used HCl. This is extremely important as HNO₃ is commonly employed acidifying agent in trace metal analysis, especially in elemental mass spectrometry measurements. By carrying out a systematic CV and ASV investigation using a medium exchange protocol, we confirmed the formation of poorly soluble oxidized Sb species at the substrate electrode surface at the end of each stripping step, i.e. at the potentials beyond the anodic dissolution of the antimony film. Hence, the significance of the cleaning and initializing the surface of a substrate electrode after accomplishing a stripping step was thoroughly studied in order to find conditions for a complete removal of the adhered Sb-oxides and thus to assure a memory-free functioning of the in situ prepared SbFE. Finally, the practical analytical application of the proposed ASV method was successfully tested and evaluated by measuring the three metal analytes in ground (tap) and surface (river) water samples acidified with HNO₃. Our results approved the appropriateness of the SbFE and the proposed method for measuring low μg L⁻¹ levels of some toxic metals, particularly taking into account the possibility of on-field testing and the use of low cost instrumentation.     

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.     

Redox magnetohydrodynamics enhancement of stripping voltammetry of lead(II), cadmium(II) and zinc(II) ions using 1,4-benzoquinone as an alternative pumping species

Differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) coupled with redox-magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) is used to enhance the anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) response using a mercury thin film-glassy carbon electrode. The sensitivity increased to at least a factor of two (at 1.2 T) and is facilitated by using 20.0 mmol L(-1) 1,4-benzoquinone as an alternative pumping species to enhance ASV by redox-MHD. The MHD force formed by the cross-product of ion flux with magnetic field induces solution convection during the deposition step, enhancing mass transport of the analytes to the electrode surface and increasing their preconcentrated quantity in the mercury thin film. Therefore, larger ASV peaks and improved sensitivities are obtained, compared with analyses performed without a magnet. The influence of pH, 1,4-benzoquinone concentration, accumulation potential, and time are also investigated. Detection limits of 0.05, 0.09 and 2.2 ng mL(-1) Cd(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) were established with an accumulation time of 65 s. The method is used for the analysis of Cd(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) in different water samples, certified reference materials, and saliva samples with satisfactory results.     

Individual and simultaneous determination of lead, cadmium, and zinc by anodic stripping voltammetry at a bismuth bulk electrode

A bismuth bulk electrode (BiBE) has been investigated as an alternative electrode for the anodic stripping voltammetric (ASV) analysis of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II). The BiBE, which is fabricated in-house, shows results comparable to those of similar analyses at other Bi-based electrodes. Metal accumulation is achieved by holding the electrode potential at −1.4 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) for 180 s followed by a square wave voltammetric stripping scan from −1.4 to −0.35 V. Calibration plots are obtained for all three metals, individually and simultaneously, in the10-100 μg L⁻¹ range, with a detection limit of 93, 54, and 396 ng L⁻¹ for Pb(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), respectively. A slight reduction in slope is observed for Cd(II) and Pb(II) when the three metals are calibrated simultaneously vs. individually. Comparing the sensitivities of the metals when calibrated individually vs. in a mixture reveals that Zn(II) is not affected by stripping in a mixture. However, Pb(II) and Cd(II) have decreasing sensitivities in a mixture. The optimized method has been successfully used to test contaminated river water by standard addition. The results demonstrate the ability of the BiBE as an alternative electrode material in heavy metal analysis.     

Determination of Mo(VI) with 2-benzylideneiminobenzohydroxamic acid (2-BIBH) in urine by cathodic stripping voltammetry

Summary Controlled adsorptive accumulation of Mo(VI)-2-BIBH at the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) provides the basis for the direct stripping measurement of Mo(VI) in nanomolar concentration. The cathodic stripping response is evaluated with respect to experimental parameters such as preconcentration time, preconcentration potential and others. A differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetric method for the determination of Mo(VI) with 2-BIBH in urine is proposed. The detection limit is 10^–9 mol/l Mo(VI), standard deviation for 5×10^–8 mol/l is ±1.58×10^–9 mol/l.

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Bestimmung von MolybdÄn(VI) mit 2-BenzylideniminobenzohydroxamsÄure (2-BIBH) in Harn durch kathodische Stripping-Voltammetrie