Determination of lead and cadmium in seawater using a vibrating silver amalgam microwire electrode

Silver amalgamated electrodes are a good substrate to determine lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in seawater because they have properties similar to mercury but without the free mercury (Hg). Here a silver amalgamated microwire (SAM) electrode is optimised for the determination of Pb and Cd in coastal waters and uncontaminated ocean waters. The SAM was vibrated during the deposition step to increase the sensitivity, and electroanalytical parameters were optimised. The Hg coating required plating from a relatively concentrated (millimolar) solution, much greater (500×) than used for instance to coat glassy carbon electrodes. However, the coating on the ex situ amalgamated electrode was found to be stable and could be used for up to a week to determine trace levels of Pb in seawater of natural pH. The limit of detection square-wave ASV (50 Hz) using the pre-plated SAM electrode was 8 pM Pb using a 1-min plating time at pH 4.5. The limit of detection in pH 2 seawater was 4 pM using a 5-min plating time, and it was 12 pM using a 10-min plating time at natural pH in the presence of air, using a square-wave frequency of 700 Hz. The vibrating SAM electrode was tested on the determination of Pb in reference seawater samples from the open Atlantic (at the 20 pM level), Pacific, and used for a study of Pb in samples collected over 24 h in Liverpool Bay (Irish Sea).     

The renewable bismuth bulk annular band working electrode: Fabrication and application in the adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of nickel(II) and cobalt(II)

The paper presents the first report on fabrication and application of a user friendly and mercury free electrochemical sensor, with the renewable bismuth bulk annular band working electrode (RBiABE), in stripping voltammetry (SV). The sensor body is partly filled with the internal electrolyte solution, in which the RBiABE is cleaned and activated before each measurement. Time of the RBiABE contact with the sample solution is precisely controlled. The usefulness of this sensor was tested by Ni(II) and Co(II) traces determination by means of differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetry (DP AdSV), after complexation with dimethylglyoxime (DMG) in ammonia buffer (pH 8.2). The experimental variables (composition of the supporting electrolyte, pre-concentration potential and time, potential of the RBiABE activation, and DP parameters), as well as possible interferences, were investigated. The linear calibration graphs for Ni(II) and Co(II), determined individually and together, in the range from 1 × 10⁻⁸ to 70 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ and from 1 × 10⁻⁹ to 70 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹ respectively, were obtained. The calculated limit of detection (LOD), for 30 s of the accumulation time, was 3 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹ for Ni(II) in case of a single element’s analysis, whereas the LOD was 5 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹ for Ni(II) and 3 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹ for Co(II), when both metal ions were measured together. The repeatability of the Ni(II) and Co(II) adsorptive stripping voltammetric signals obtained at the RBiABE were equal to 5.4% and 2.5%, respectively (n = 5). Finally, the proposed method was validated by determining Ni(II) and Co(II) in the certified reference waters (SPS-SW1 and SPS-SW2) with satisfactory results.     

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.     

Use of hydrogen peroxide to achieve interference-free stripping voltammetric determination of copper at the bismuth-film electrode

In this work, a new approach is presented to allow interference-free determination of Cu (II) by stripping voltammetry using the bismuth-film electrode. The addition of hydrogen peroxide to the electroanalytical cell has promoted complete resolution between re-dissolution peaks of Bi (III) and Cu (II). The absence of interference could be evaluated by the correlation coefficient (r > 0.99) between Cu (II) concentration and its shifted current peak (at +212 mV) while achieving a slightly fluctuation of the bismuth current peak at −180 mV. Studies were performed aiming towards the optimum conditions for trace determination of Cu (II) using hydrogen peroxide. The methodology was applied to a real sample (sugarcane spirits) and the results were compared to those from graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The analytical parameters of merit and the results of the analysis indicated that the analytical methodology could be readily used for trace determination of Cu (II).     

The renovated silver ring electrode in determination of lead traces by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry

The study of a new type of working electrode - the renovated silver ring electrode (RSRE) - for lead ions detection via differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DP ASV) without removal of oxygen is reported. The only four constituents of the RSRE: a specially constructed silver ring electrode, a silver sheet used as silver counter/quasi-reference electrode and a silicon O-ring, are fastened together in a polypropylene body. The renovation of this electrode is carried out through mechanical removal of solid contaminants and electrochemical activation in the electrolyte which fills the RSRE body. Excellent repeatability and reproducibility - also in organic samples solutions - were reached in a period of a few weeks through the renovation of the electrode surface before each measurement. The reduction and stripping of lead on silver electrode under the DP ASV conditions are underpotential deposition/dissolution phenomena. The RSRE is used for the determination of Pb ions in concentrations ranging from 1 × 10⁻⁹ to 1 × 10⁻⁷ M. The repeatability of DP ASV runs in synthetic solutions covering the entire concentration range is better than 2%. Obtained calibration curves are represented by a correlation coefficient of at least 0.999. The detection limit (LOD) for the time of electrodeposition equal to 60 s is 0.2 × 10⁻⁹ M. LOD for Pb²⁺ detection at the RSRE is similar to this reported for a rotating silver electrode in subtractive anodic stripping voltammetry (E. Kirowa-Eisner, et al., Anal. Chim. Acta, 385 (1999) 325). The analysis of Pb²⁺ in synthetic solutions with and without surfactants, certified reference materials and natural water samples have been performed.     

Adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of trace concentrations of molybdenum at an in situ plated lead film electrode

An in situ plated lead film electrode has been applied for adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of trace concentrations of molybdenum in the presence of Alizarin S. The procedure is based on the preconcentration of the molybdenum-Alizarin S complex at an in situ plated lead film electrode held at −0.6 V (versus Ag/AgCl), followed by a negatively sweeping square wave voltammetric scan. The peak current is proportional to the concentration of molybdenum over the range 2 × 10⁻⁹ to 5 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹, with a 3σ detection limit of 9 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹ with an accumulation time of 60 s. The measurements were carried out from underaerated solutions. The proposed procedure was validated in the course of Mo(VI) determination in water certified reference materials.     

Sensitive voltammetric determination of gallium in aluminium materials using renewable mercury film silver based electrode

Simple cyclic renewable silver amalgam film electrode (Hg(Ag)FE), applied for the determination of gallium(III) using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DP ASV), is presented. The effects of various factors such as: preconcentration potential and time, pulse height, step potential and supporting electrolyte composition are optimised. The calibration graph is linear from 5?nM (0.35?µg?L^?1) to 80?nM (5.6?µg?L^?1) for a preconcentration time of 60?s, with correlation coefficient of 0.995. For a Hg(Ag)FE with a surface area of 9.9?mm² the detection limit for a preconcentration time of 120?s is as low as 0.1?µg?L^?1. The repeatability of the method at a concentration level of the analyte as low as 3.5?µg?L^?1, expressed as RSD is 3.2% (n?=?5). The proposed method was successfully applied by studying the synthetic samples and simultaneously recovery of Ga(III) from spiked aluminium samples.     

Continuous flow and flow injection stripping voltammetric determination of silver(I), mercury(II), and bismuth(III) at a bulk modified graphite tube electrode

The epoxy-impregnated graphite tube electrode bulk modified with 2-mercaptobenzoxazole, employed in a wall-jet configuration, was found to be useful for the continuous flow and flow injection stripping voltammetric determinations of Ag^I, Hg^II and Bi^III. For continuous flow, detection limits for Ag^I, Hg^II and Bi^III were 1.8 × 10⁻¹⁰ M, 1.9 × 10⁻⁹ M and 9.5 × 10⁻⁹ M, respectively (10 min accumulation, S/N = 3). Precisions for 5.00 × 10⁻⁹ M Ag^I, 1.00 × 10⁻⁸ M Hg^II and 1.00 × 10⁻⁷ M Bi^III were 10.5%, 5.77 % and 7.90% (relative standard deviations, n = 6), respectively. In the case of flow injection stripping, with a 500 μL injection loop, detection limits of 0.59 ng, 2.0 ng and 120 ng were obtained for Ag^I, Hg^II and Bi^III, respectively (S/N = 3). Selected metal ions, inorganic and organic substances were investigated for interferences. The electrode was tested with a certified sample and then applied to the determinations of the metal ions in a urine and a sea-water sample.     

Stripping voltammetric determination of silver(I) at carbon paste electrode modified with 3-amino-2-mercapto quinazolin-4(3H)-one

A differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetric method was developed for the determination of Ag(I) at a 3-amino-2-mercapto quinazolin-4(3H)-one modified carbon paste electrode. The analysis procedure consisted of an open circuit accumulation step in stirred sample solution for 12 min. This was followed by medium exchange to a clean solution where the accumulated Ag(I) was reduced for 15 s in −0.6 V. Subsequently an anodic potential scan was effected from −0.2 to +0.2 V to obtain the voltammetric peak. The detection limit of silver(I) was 0.4 μg L⁻¹ and R.S.D. for 10, 100 and 200 μg L⁻¹ silver(I) were 2.4, 1.8 and 1.3%, respectively. The calibration curve was linear for 0.9-300 μg L⁻¹ silver(I). Many coexisting ions had little or no effect on the determination of silver(I). The procedure was applied to determination of silver(I) in X-ray photographic films and natural waters. In X-ray photographic film samples, the results have compared to those obtained by atomic absorption spectroscopy.     

没食子酸在电活化玻碳电极上的电化学行为及测定

采用循环伏安法和线性扫描伏安法对没食子酸在电活化玻碳电极上的电化学行为进行了研究。玻碳电极在pH7.0的磷酸盐缓冲溶液中,用恒电位法在1.7 V电位阳极氧化400 s。然后在pH3.0的柠檬酸盐缓冲溶液中,没食子酸在0.479 V和0.442 V处有一良好的氧化还原峰,在0.02～0.40 V s-1范围内,其氧化峰电流与扫描速率呈良好线性关系,表明电极过程为受吸附控制的准可逆过程。线性循环伏安法的氧化峰电流与没食子酸浓度1×10-6～1×10-4mol L-1范围内呈良好的线性关系(r=0.980 6),检出限为7.6×10-7mol L-1(S/N=3)。该方法操作简便,重现性较好,并应用此法分析了健民咽喉片剂中的没食子酸的含量。     

Application of silver electrode to the electrochemical studies of hemoglobin

Several aspects of the application of silver electrode to the electrochemical studies of hemoglobin have been discussed in this paper . The silver electrode could not only be used directly as the electrode for the electrochemical studies of hemoglobin, but also react with phenothiazine and benzimidazole to give stable and useful mediator-coated electrodes. In addition, the silver electrode could help sodium dodecyl sulfate to give full play to its promoting effect on the protein.     

Perfluorinated anion-exchange polymer mercury film electrode for anodic stripping voltammetric determination of zinc(II): effect of model organic compounds

The determination of zinc ion (1-60 ng ml⁻¹) by anodic square-wave stripping voltammetry on an anion-exchange perfluorinated polymer Tosflex mercury film electrodes (TMFE) was evaluated. The detection limit was 0.1 ng ml⁻¹ Zn(II). The effect of various organic compounds (gelatin, albumin, starch, camphor, humic acid, Triton X-100, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)) is explored. The results indicate that due to the size-exclusion and ion-exchange properties of Tosflex film, the TMFE is considerably more resistant to organic interference than the bare mercury film electrode.     

Differential pulse voltammetric determination of selected nitrophenols on novel type of porous silver working electrode prepared by powder metallurgy

Nitrophenols are important environmental pollutants and their monitoring is important because of their genotoxic and ecotoxic properties. Easy electrochemical reduction of nitro groups can be used for their voltammetric determination using mercury based electrodes. However, requirements of green analytical chemistry prompted us to investigate a novel type of silver porous electrode (AgPE) prepared by powder metallurgy compatible with both “green” and “white” analytical chemistry requirements. In this paper, AgPE was for the first time successfully used for differential pulse voltammetric determination of micromolar concentrations of 2-nitrophenol (NP), 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), and 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) in aqueous media. The main advantage of the novel method is the possibility to use small sample volume (down to 25 μL) and to work in the presence of oxygen when using supporting electrolyte of pH 3. This advantage partially compensates the fact that the obtained sensitivity and limit of detection are not better than with the previously investigated electrodes.     

银掺杂聚L-缬氨酸修饰电极的制备及对肾上腺素的测定

利用循环伏安法将银和L-缬氨酸聚合修饰在玻碳电极表面,制成银掺杂聚L-缬氨酸修饰电极(Ag-PLV/GCE),研究了肾上腺素在该电极上的电化学行为,建立了电化学测定肾上腺素的新方法.在pH3.5的磷酸盐缓冲溶液中,扫描速率为40 mV/s时,肾上腺素在修饰电极上产生一对氧化还原峰,Epa=0.422 V,Epc=0.3...     

Simultaneous voltammetric determination of acetylsalicylic acid,caffeine and paracetamol in pharmaceutical formulations using screen-printed carbon electrode

Electrochemical oxidation of Paracetamol (PAR), Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and Caffeine (CAF) was investigated employing square wave stripping voltammetry (SWSV) using screen–printed carbon electrodes (SPCE). Determinations were performed in 0.1 mol L⁻¹ BR buffer (pH 2.0) without accumulation step. SWV were obtained by scanning the potential from 0.00 to 1.40 V employing a scan increment of 4 mV, pulse amplitude 25 mV and frequency of 25 Hz. PAR, ASA and CAF presents oxidation signals at 0.45, 1.03 and 1.32 V. The detection limits were 1.2, 1.7 and 1.7 mg L⁻¹, respectively. The method was applied in the PAR-ASA-CAF determination on pharmaceutical formulations.     

Brdicka-type processes of cysteine and cysteine-containing peptides on silver amalgam electrodes

Silver solid amalgam electrode (AgSAE) was used for differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) measurements of cysteine and cysteine-containing peptides, glutathione, gamma-Glu-Cys-Gly and phytochelatin (gamma-Glu-Cys)(3)-Gly (PC3), in the presence of Co(II) ions. It had been established earlier that cysteine-containing peptides and proteins catalyze hydrogen evolution at mercury electrodes in presence of cobalt salts; these processes are known as the Brdicka reaction. DPV signals measured with the AgSAE, the surfaces of which had been modified by mercury meniscus or mercury film, were qualitatively the same as those obtained with the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). With these electrodes the number and the intensity of Brdicka signals of cysteine, glutathione and PC3 differed, making a distinction among them possible. On the other hand, with the polished silver solid amalgam electrode (the surface of which was completely free of liquid mercury) all three compounds produced only one but strikingly intense peak in the region of Brdicka reaction. Using this signal, cysteine, glutathione as well as PC3 could be determined at 10(-8)M level, representing sensitivity up to 2 orders of magnitude better than attained with the mercury-modified AgSAEs or HMDE.     

Electrochemistry and voltammetric determination of tannic acid on a single-wall carbon nanotube-coated glassy carbon electrode

The voltammetric behavior of tannic acid (TA) on a single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) modified glassy carbon electrode has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry. TA can generate a well-defined anodic peak on the modified electrode at around 0.42 V (vs. SCE) in 0.10 M phosphate buffer solutions (pH = 4.0). The electrochemical reaction involves 1e transfer, accompanied by one proton. The electrode process is controlled by adsorption. The parameters affecting the response of TA, such as solution pH, accumulation time and accumulation potential are optimized for the determination of TA. Under the optimum conditions, the peak current changes linearly with the TA concentration in the range of 5.0 × 10⁻⁸–1.0 × 10⁻⁶ M. The lowest detectable concentration of TA is 8.0 × 10⁻⁹ M after 180 s accumulation. This method has been successfully applied to the determination of TA in tea and beer samples. In addition, the influence of potential interferents is examined. In the presence of bovine serum albumin, the peak current of TA decreases linearly due to the formation of a super-molecular complex.     

Voltammetric determination of herbicide molinate in river water and rice samples using solid silver amalgam electrode fabricated with nanoparticles

The evaluation of the voltammetric behaviour and the determination of herbicide molinate were performed for the first time over the surface of solid amalgam electrode fabricated with silver nanoparticles using cyclic voltammetry and square-wave voltammetry techniques. The experimental and instrumental parameters were evaluated to reach the maximum analytical response for molinate. It was achieved when a medium composed of 0.04 mol L^?1 Britton–Robinson buffer at the pH value of 4.0 was used. Under these conditions, molinate showed one pronounced reduction peak at E_p = ?0.37 V (vs. Ag/AgCl 3 mol L^?1) that was characterised as an irreversible system. An analytical curve was constructed at the concentration range from 9.36 to 243.49 µg L^?1 and a limit of detection of 2.34 µg L^?1 was obtained. The amalgam electrode presented good stability during the measurements with relative standard deviation (RSD) values of 2.9% for the repeatability and 5.4% for the reproducibility. The voltammetric method developed here could be conveniently applied for the determination of molinate in river water and rice spiked samples at levels below those established on the legislations of European Union and Brazil with good accuracy (RSD of less than 5% for all samples). Comparison with HPLC technique was carried out and the results indicated satisfactory concordance. According to the results depicted here, the silver nanoparticles solid amalgam electrode showed itself highly sensitive and an interesting alternative for the routine analysis of molinate in water and food samples. Furthermore, it introduces an environmentally acceptable alternative to the mercury electrodes, most commonly used for determination of reducible pesticides.     

Simultaneous voltammetric determination of acetaminophen and tramadol using Dowex50wx2 and gold nanoparticles modified glassy carbon paste electrode

A glassy carbon paste electrode (GCPE) modified with a cation exchanger resin, Dowex50wx2 and gold nanoparticles (D50wx2–GNP–GCPE) has been developed for individual and simultaneous determination of acetaminophen (ACOP) and tramadol (TRA). The electrochemical behavior of both the molecules has been investigated employing cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronocoulometry (CC), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and adsorptive stripping square wave voltammetry (AdSSWV). The studies revealed that the oxidation of ACOP and TRA is facilitated at D50wx2–GNP–GCPE. Using AdSSWV, the method allowed simultaneous determination of ACOP and TRA in the linear working range of 3.34 × 10⁻⁸ to 4.22 × 10⁻⁵ M with detection limits of 4.71 × 10⁻⁹ and 1.12 × 10⁻⁸ M (S/N = 3) for ACOP and TRA respectively. The prepared modified electrode shows several advantages such as simple preparation method, long-time stability, ease of preparation and regeneration of the electrode surface by simple polishing and excellent reproducibility. The high sensitivity and selectivity of D50wx2–GNP–GCPE were demonstrated by its practical application in the determination of both ACOP and TRA in pharmaceutical formulations, urine and blood serum samples.     

Stripping voltammetric determination of silymarin in formulations and human blood utilizing bare and modified carbon paste electrodes

Silymarin is one of the most powerful natural substances that have the ability to protect and rebuild the liver cells damaged by alcohol and other toxic substances. Silymarin showed two irreversible anodic peaks in buffered solutions (pH 2.5-8.0) at either the bare carbon paste electrode or the montmorillonite-Ca modified carbon paste one. These two peaks have been attributed to oxidation of the two phenolic OH groups at positions C-20 and C-7 of silymarin molecule. A square-wave adsorptive anodic stripping voltammetry method was optimized for determination of silymarin utilizing the bare and the modified carbon paste electrodes. The method was fully validated and successfully applied for the determination of silymarin in commercial formulations and human serum without prior extraction utilizing both carbon paste electrodes. Limits of quantitation of 1 × 10⁻⁷ and 7 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹ silymarin have been achieved in bulk form or in formulations while 2 × 10⁻⁷ and 8 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹ silymarin were achieved in spiked human serum utilizing the bare carbon paste electrode and the modified one, respectively. The two electrodes exhibited excellent selectivity towards silymarin even in the presence of 10²to 10³-fold excess of its co-formulated drugs, common excipients, and common metal ions. The pharmacokinetic parameters of silymarin in plasma of healthy human volunteers were estimated following the administration of a single oral dose of 120 mg silymarin utilizing the modified carbon paste electrode. The estimated pharmacokinetic parameters were favorably compared with those reported in literature.