Voltammetric Determination of Pb,Cu and Hg in Biodiesel Using Gold Screen‐printed Electrode: Comparison of Batch‐injection Analysis with Conventional Electrochemical Systems

This article compares the use of batch‐injection analysis (BIA) with a conventional batch system for the anodic stripping voltammetric (ASV) determination of Pb, Cu and Hg in biodiesel using screen‐printed gold electrode (SPGE). The optimized BIA conditions were 200 µL of injection volume of the digested samples at 5 µL s^?1 directly on the working electrode of the SPGE immersed in 0.1 mol L^?1 HCl solution. Therefore, BIA‐ASV presented the advantages of low sample consumption, which extended the SPGE lifetime to a whole working day of analyses, and potential for on‐site analysis using battery‐powered micropipettes and potentiostats. Although presenting lower sensitivity than conventional systems, the BIA‐ASV presented detection limit values of 1.0, 0.5 and 0.7 µg L^?1, respectively for Pb, Cu and Hg, a linear range between 20 and 280 µg L^?1, and adequate recovery values (90–110 %) for spiked biodiesel samples.     

Fast Determination of Ciprofloxacin by Batch Injection Analysis with Amperometric Detection and Capillary Electrophoresis with Capacitively Coupled Contactless Conductivity Detection

We report fast, precise, selective, and sensitive electroanalytical methods for the determination of ciprofloxacin in milk and pharmaceutical samples by batch‐injection analysis with amperometric detection (BIA‐AMP) and by capillary electrophoresis with capacitively‐coupled contactless conductivity detection (CE‐C⁴D). Both methods required simple sample preparation protocols before analysis (milk samples were just diluted and tablets powdered and dissolved in electrolyte/water). The analytical features of BIA‐AMP and CE‐C⁴D methods include, respectively, low relative standard deviation values for repetitive measurements (2.8 % and 1.7 %, n=10), low detection limits (0.3 and 5.0 µmol L^?1), elevated analytical frequency (80 and 120 h^?1) and satisfactory accuracy (based on comparative determinations by HPLC and recovery values for spiked samples).     

Amperometric determination of the insecticide fipronil using batch injection analysis: comparison between unmodified and carbon-nanotube-modified electrodes

The electrochemical oxidation of fipronil is investigated on unmodified and multi-walled carbon-nanotube (MWCNT)-modified glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs), and its amperometric determination using batch injection analysis (BIA) is demonstrated. An oxidation peak was observed at 1.5 V in a 0.1 mol L^?1 HClO₄/acetone solution (50:50, v/v) on both surfaces. Although MWCNT-modified GCE provided greater sensitivity, the unmodified GCE showed low RSD value, wider linear range, and reduced adsorption of fipronil or its oxidized products on the electrode surface. A detection limit of 4.7 μmol L^?1 and linear range of 25–300 μmol L^?1 were obtained using a bare GCE. The method was applied in veterinary formulations with results in agreement with those obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography.     

Voltammetric Determination of 4‐Nitrophenol and 5‐Nitrobenzimidazole Using Different Types of Silver Solid Amalgam Electrodes – A Comparative Study

The voltammetric behavior of two genotoxic nitro compounds (4‐nitrophenol and 5‐nitrobenzimidazole) has been investigated using direct current voltammetry (DCV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) at a polished silver solid amalgam electrode (p‐AgSAE), a mercury meniscus modified silver solid amalgam electrode (m‐AgSAE), and a mercury film modified silver solid amalgam electrode (MF‐AgSAE). The optimum conditions have been evaluated for their determination in Britton‐Robinson buffer solutions. The limit of quantification (L_Q) for 5‐nitrobenzimidazole at p‐AgSAE was 0.77 µmol L^?1 (DCV) and 0.47 µmol L^?1 (DPV), at m‐AgSAE it was 0.32 µmol L^?1 (DCV) and 0.16 µmol L^?1 (DPV), and at MF‐AgSAE it was 0.97 µmol L^?1 (DCV) and 0.70 µmol L^?1 (DPV). For 4‐nitrophenol at p‐AgSAE, L_Q was 0.37 µmol L^?1 (DCV) and 0.32 µmol L^?1 (DPV), at m‐AgSAE it was 0.14 µmol L^?1 (DCV) and 0.1 µmol L^?1 (DPV), and at MF‐AgSAE, it was 0.87 µmol L^?1 (DCV) and 0.37 µmol L^?1 (DPV). Thorough comparative studies have shown that m‐AgSAE is the best sensor for voltammetric determination of the two model genotoxic compounds because it gives the lowest L_Q, is easier to prepare, and its surface can be easily renewed both chemically (by new amalgamation) and/or electrochemically (by imposition of cleaning pulses). The practical applicability of the newly developed methods was verified on model samples of drinking water.     

A Sensitive Sensor Based on CuTSPc and Reduced Graphene Oxide for Simultaneous Determination of the BHA and TBHQ Antioxidants in Biodiesel Samples

A novel and sensitive electrochemical sensor was developed for the simultaneous determination of the butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and tert‐butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) antioxidants in biodiesel samples employing the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). In this sense, a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with copper (II) tetrasulfonated phthatocyanine immobilized on reduced graphene oxide (CuTSPc/rGO) allowed the detection of BHA and TBHQ at potentials lower than those observed at unmodified electrodes. The sensor was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear scan voltammetry (LSV). After optimization of the experimental parameters, the analytical curves for simultaneous determination of BHA and TBHQ by DPV technique demonstrated an excellent linear response from 0.1 to 500 µmol L^?1 with detection limit of 0.045 µmol L^?1 for TBHQ and 0.036 µmol L^?1 for BHA. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied in the simultaneous determination of BHA and TBHQ in six biodiesel samples, and the results obtained were found to be similar to those obtained using the HPLC method with agreement at 95 % confidence level.     

Carbon‐nanotube Modified Screen‐printed Electrode for the Simultaneous Determination of Nitrite and Uric Acid in Biological Fluids Using Batch‐injection Amperometric Detection

A portable electroanalytical system applied for rapid and simultaneous determination of uric acid (UA) and nitrite (NIT) in human biological fluids (urine, saliva and blood) is reported. The system is based on batch‐injection analysis with multiple‐pulse amperometric (BIA‐MPA) detection using screen‐printed electrodes (SPEs) modified with multi‐walled carbon nanotubes. Sample dilution in optimized electrolyte (0.1 mol L⁻¹ Britton‐Robinson buffer pH 2) followed by injection of 100 μL on the electrode surface using an electronic micropipette is performed. UA is detected at +0.45 V and both UA+NIT at +0.70 V. Linear calibration plots for UA and NIT were obtained over the range of 1–500 μmol L⁻¹ with detection limits of 0.05 and 0.06 μmol L⁻¹, respectively. For comparison, a differential‐pulse voltammetric (DPV) method was optimized, and linear calibration plots for UA and NIT were obtained over range of 1–30 μmol L⁻¹ and 1–40 μmol L⁻¹ with detection limits of 0.1 and 0.3 μmol L⁻¹, respectively. BIA‐MPA is highly precise (RSD<1.3 %), fast (160 h⁻¹) and free from sample‐matrix interferences as recovery values ranged from 77 to 121 % for spiked samples (short contact time of sample aliquot with SPE). Contrarily, recovery tests conducted using DPV did not provide adequate recovery values (>150 %), probably due to the longer contact time of the SPE with the biological samples during analysis leading to a severe interference of sample matrices.     

Alumina Polished Glassy Carbon Electrode as a Simple Electrode for Lower Potential Electrochemical Detection of Dopamine in its Sub‐micromolar Level

The electrochemical behaviour of dopamine (DA) at a cleaned and alumina polished glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV). The CV studies revealed that alumina polished GCE (AGCE) shows an enhanced oxidation peak current response with 217 mV negative potential shift towards DA than that of cleaned GCE. The differential pulse voltammetry result shows that the AGCE detects the DA in the linear concentration ranges from 0.15 to 25.25 µmol L^?1. The limit of detection was calculated as 0.046 µmol L^?1 with a sensitivity of 3.74 µA µmol L^?1 cm^?2 for the determination of DA. The fabricated AGCE shows a satisfactory selectivity, practicality along with appreciable repeatability and reproducibility.     

Functionalised multi-walled carbon nanotubes-modified electrode for sensitive determination of Diuron in seawater samples

ABSTRACT

This work was focused in to develop an electroanalytical method based on a direct modification of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) by the deposition of successive aliquots of diluted dispersions of functionalised carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-COOH) in ethanol (0.1 mg.mL^?1) aiming the determination of Diuron into seawater samples, a common antifouling substance, using differential pulse voltammetry as electroanalytical technique. The GCE/MWCNT-COOH showed a sensitivity of 2.20 μA/μmol L^?1 about 10 times higher than the unmodified counterpart (GCE) which showed a sensitivity of 0.192 μA/μmol L^?1. The limits of detection and quantificationwere 6.88 × 10^?8 and 2.29 × 10^?7 mol L^?1 for GCE/MWCNT-COOH while for GCE were 7.87 × 10^?7 and 2.62 × 10^?6 mol L^?1, respectively. The applicability was evaluated with spiked detectable amounts of Diuron into seawater samples. The recovery results were between 76% and 119%.     

Determination of Amlodipine and Atenolol by Batch Injection Analysis with Amperometric Detection on Boron‐doped Diamond Electrode

This work describes the sequential determination of amlodipine (AML) and atenolol (ATN) by batch injection analysis (BIA) with pulsed amperometric detection (BIA‐PAD). Boron doped diamond (BDD) was used as working electrode. AML was detected at +1.00 V and ATN at +1.65 V. The proposed BIA method is simple, robust, precise (RSD <3.2 %; n=10), presents high analytical frequency (>70 injections h^?1), generates reduced volume of waste (without use of organic solvent) and requires minimal sample manipulation (dissolution and dilution in electrolyte). The limits of detection were 0.074 and 0.073 µmol L^?1 for AML and ATN, respectively. The results obtained with the proposed BIA method were compared to those obtained by HPLC and similar results were obtained (at 95% of confidence level).     

Investigation of the Electrochemical Behavior of Mesalazine on the Surface of a Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with CNT/PPY Doped by 1,5‐Naphthalenedisulfonic Acid

A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified with a thin layer of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and subsequently, electrochemically deposited poly‐pyrrole. The electrochemical behavior of mesalazine was studied on the surface of the modified electrode by applying linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). The electropolymerization process and the electrochemical response toward mesalazine were investigated in the presence of different aromatic anion dopants including, benzenesulfonic acid (BSA), 1,3‐benzenedisulfonic acid (1,3‐BDSA), 1,5‐naphthalenedisulfonic acid (1,5‐NDSA) and new coccine (NC). By using 1,5‐NDSA as dopant, a significant increase (～418 times) in the peak current of mesalazine was observed, in comparison to the bare GCE. Experimental variables such as drop size of the cast MWCNTs suspension, pH of the supporting electrolyte, accumulation conditions and the number of scans in the electropolymerization process were optimized by monitoring the LSV responses of mesalazine. Under the optimum conditions, two linear dynamic ranges of 0.01–0.1 µmol L^?1 and 0.1–1.0 µmol L^?1 with a detection limit of 3 nmol L^?1 were resulted for the voltammetric determination of mesalazine. The prepared electrode showed high sensitivity, stability and good reproducibility for determination of mesalazine. These properties made the prepared sensor suitable for the determination of mesalazine in pharmaceutical and clinical preparations.     

Batch‐injection versus Flow‐injection Analysis Using Screen‐printed Electrodes: Determination of Ciprofloxacin in Pharmaceutical Formulations

This article highlights the potential use of multi‐walled carbon‐nanotube modified screen‐printed electrodes (SPEs) for the amperometric sensing of ciprofloxacin and compares the association of batch‐injection analysis (BIA) and flow‐injection analysis (FIA) with amperometric detection. Both analytical systems provided precise (RSD<5 %) and sensitive determination of ciprofloxacin (LOD<0.1 μmol L^?1) within wide linear range (up to 200 μmol L^?1). Accuracy of both methods was attested by recovery values (93–107 %) and comparison with capillary electrophoresis. The BIA system is completely portable (especially due to association with SPEs) and provided faster analyses (130 h^?1) and more sensitive detection than the FIA system due to the higher flow rates of injection.     

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction using the freezed floating organic drop for rapid,fast, and sensitive determination of lead

A rapid, simple, and sensitive method was developed for lead preconcentration and separation in various real samples by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on the freezing of floating organic drop. In this method, a suitable extraction solvent dissolved in a dispersive solvent was quickly syringed into the water sample so that the solution became turbid. Then, two phases were separated by centrifugation. The floating extractant droplet can be easily solidified on an ice bath and taken out of the water sample. Then, it can be liquefied instantly at room temperature, and analyte can be determined in it. In the creation of a hydrophobic complex with lead, 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthole (PAN) was used as the chelating agent. 1-Undecanol and acetone were used as extraction and disperser solvent. To achieve the highest recovery, some factors (type and volume of dispersive and extraction solvent, pH, PAN concentration, and salt concentration) were optimised. Under optimised conditions (pH = 9, 1.0 × 10^–3 mol L^?1 PAN, 15% w/v NaCl, 100 µL 1-undecanol, and 0.3 mL acetone), the lead calibration graph was linear from 1.5 to 80 μg L^?1. The detection limit and preconcentration factor were 0.5 μg L^?1 and 50, respectively. Lead was successfully determined in water and food (spinach, rice, potato, carrot, and black tea bag) samples by this method.     

Amperometric Folic Acid Quantification Using a Supramolecular Tetraruthenated Nickel Porphyrin µ‐Peroxo‐Bridged Matrix Modified Electrode Associated to Batch Injection Analysis

A supramolecular Nickel (II) porphyrin complex containing four pyridyl‐bis(2,2′‐bipyridyl)chloro ruthenium meso substituents was submitted to successive voltammetric cycles in high alkaline media to produce a supramolecular matrix with Nickel centers linked by µ‐peroxo bridges, producing a highly stable thin film able to act as redox mediator for electrocatalytic oxidation of folic acid. The characterization of electrode surface material was performed by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. The modified electrode was inserted into a batch injection electrochemical cell used for the rapid and precise quantification of folic acid in pharmaceutical products. The favorable hydrodynamic conditions provided by amperometry‐BIA association allowed a very high throughput with good linear range (1 to 200 µmol L^?1) and low detection limit (7.37×10^?7 mol L^?1). The electrochemical method was applied to the quantification of folic acid in different tablet samples. The results were comparable with values indicated by the manufacturer and those found using high HPLC according to the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia; commercial samples were submitted to a procedure in order to remove lactose of tablets, since carbohydrates act as interfering species. This procedure together with the electrochemical method showed to be simple, rapid, efficient and an appropriate alternative for quantifying this compound in real samples.     

Determination of Benzocaine and Tricaine in Fish Fillets Using BIA with Amperometric Detection

A system based on batch injection analysis (BIA) associated with amperometric detection at screen‐printed carbon electrode was used for the precise and rapid quantification of the anesthetics compounds benzocaine and tricaine in fresh fish fillets. Along this study, the best conditions for the BIA‐amperometry system were stablished for the rapid determination of these compounds. The results obtained demonstrate that the proposed method is an interesting alternative to the chromatographic methods, once it allows to perform rapid analysis (more than 300 injections per hour) with low limits of detection (3.02×10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ for benzocaine and 3.19×10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ for tricaine), using just 80 μL of sample for each analysis. Furthermore, it was possible to obtain high repeatability for both compounds analyzed, demonstrating good performance. The simple sample preparation developed in this study drastically reduced the amount of fat in the fish extract, favoring precision, as shown by the results of the recovery studies of both anesthetics contained in the fish samples (values above 99 % for both analytes).     

Preconcentration of beryllium via octadecyl silica gel microparticles doped with aluminon, and its determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple and sensitive method is presented for solid phase extraction (SPE) and preconcentration of trace quantities of beryllium using octadecyl silica gel modifed with aurin tricarboxylic acid (aluminon). Beryllium is then determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Parameters affecting SPE such as pH, sample solution and eluent flow rate, type, concentration and volume of eluent, interfering ions and breakthrough volume, were investigated. Under optimal conditions, the beryllium ions were retained on the sorbent at pH 6–6.7, while 3.0 mL of 0.05 mol L^?1 HNO₃ is sufficient to elute the ions. The limit of detection (LOD) based on 3σ was 0.8 µg L^?1 for 250 mL sample solution and 5 mL 0.05 mol L^?1 HNO₃ as eluent. The LOD can reach 0.1 µg L^?1 for 1 L sample solution and 3 mL of 0.05 mol L^?1 HNO₃. The accuracy and precision (RSD %) of the method is >90% and <10%, respectively. The method was applied to the determination of beryllium in aqueous samples.     

Photoelectrochemical‐assisted Batch Injection Analysis (PEC‐BIA) of Glucose Exploiting Visible LED Light as an Excitation Source

This work describes the development of a novel method for glucose determination exploiting a photoelectrochemical‐assisted batch injection analysis cell designed and constructed with the aid of 3D printer technology. The PEC‐BIA cell was coupled to a LED lamp in order to control the incidence of light on the Cu₂O/Ni(OH)₂/FTO photoelectroactive platform. The electrochemical characteristics of Cu₂O/Ni(OH)₂/FTO photoelectroactive platform were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry, amperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The PEC‐BIA cell presented linear response range, limit of detection based on a signal‐to‐noise ratio of three, and sensitivity of 1–1000 μmol L^?1, 0.76 μmol L^?1 and 0.578 μA L μmol^?1, respectively. The PEC‐BIA method presented a mean value of the recovery values of 97.0 % to 102.0 % when it was applied to glucose determination in artificial blood plasma samples which indicates the promising performance of the proposed system to determine glucose.     

Electrochemical Detection of Nitrite in Meat and Water Samples Using a Mesoporous Carbon Ceramic SiO2/C Electrode Modified with In Situ Generated Manganese(II) Phthalocyanine

Mesoporous carbon ceramic SiO₂/50 wt % C (S_BET=170 m² g^?1), where C is graphite, were prepared by the sol‐gel method. The materials were characterized using N₂ sorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy, and conductivity measurements. The matrix was used as support for the in situ immobilization of Mn(II) phthalocyanine (MnPc) on their surface. XPS was used to determine the Mn/Si atomic ratios of the MnPc‐modified materials. Pressed disk electrodes were prepared with the MnPc‐modified matrix, and tested as an electrochemical sensor for nitrite oxidation. The linear response range, sensitivity, detection limit and quantification limit were 0.79–15.74 µmol L^?1, 17.31 µA L µmol^?1, 0.02 µmol L^?1 and 0.79 µmol L^?1, respectively, obtained using cyclic voltammetry. The repeatability of the proposed sensor, evaluated in terms of relative standard deviation was 1.7 % for 10 measurements of a solution of 12.63 µmol L^?1 nitrite. The sensor employed to determine nitrite in sausage meat, river and lake water samples showed to be a promising tool for this purpose.     

Electrochemical Oxidation of Ibuprofen and Its Voltammetric Determination at a Boron‐Doped Diamond Electrode

The electrochemical oxidation of ibuprofen at a boron‐doped diamond electrode (BDDE) and its voltammetric determination is reported for the first time. A well‐defined oxidation peak was observed at around 1.6 V in 0.1 mol L^?1 H₂SO₄ solution with 10 % (v/v) ethanol at the BDDE surface activated by either cathodic or anodic pretreatments. A differential‐pulse voltammetric method for the determination of ibuprofen in pharmaceutical formulations was optimized with a detection limit of 5 µmol L^?1 and compared with the British Pharmacopeia method.     

Batch Injection Analysis Utilizing Modified Electrodes with Tetraruthenated Porphyrin Films for Acetaminophen Quantification

Batch injection analysis (BIA) utilizing amperometric detection with glassy carbon electrodes modified with [Co(TPyP){Ru(bipy)₂Cl}₄](TFMS)₅?H₂O porphyrin films were explored for acetaminophen analysis in pharmaceutical formulations. BIA is an interesting alternative for application of electrodes modified with tetraruthenated porphyrins. This sensor exhibited sharp current response peaks, rapid washout and excellent reproducibility for BIA‐amperometric quantification of acetaminophen. Also, a wide linear working range (10^?4 to 10^?6 mol L^?1) as well as high sensitivity and sampling frequency rate (detection limit=1.1×10^?7 mol L^?1, sampling frequency=120 injections/h) and a small volume of analysis (100 μL/injection) was achieved. Furthermore, the proposed method permits the direct quantification of acetaminophen in many pharmaceutical products, avoiding cumbersome processes as previous separations, solvent extraction or sample filtration. The new procedure was applied to the analysis of commercial pharmaceutical products and the results were in excellent agreement with the ones obtained by spectrophotometric method. Accordingly, this amperometric method showed to be very well suited for quality control analysis and other applications with similar requirements.     

Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes as Sorbent for Flow Injection On‐Line Microcolumn Preconcentration Coupled with Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry for Determination of Cadmium and Copper

Abstract

Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were used as sorbent for flow injection (FI) on‐line microcolumn preconcentration coupled with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) for determination of trace cadmium and copper in environmental and biological samples. Effective preconcentration of trace cadmium and copper was achieved in a pH range of 4.5–6.5 and 5.0–7.5, respectively. The retained cadmium and copper were efficiently eluted with 0.5 mol L^?1 HCl for on‐line FAAS determination. The MWNTs packed microcolumn exhibited fairly fast kinetics for the adsorption of cadmium and copper, permitting the use of high sample flow rates up to at least 7.8 mL min^?1 for the FI on‐line microcolumn preconcentration system without loss of the retention efficiency. With a preconcentration time of 60 sec at a sample loading flow rate of 4.3 mL min^?1, the enhancement factor was 24 for cadmium and 25 for copper at a sample throughput of 45 h^?1. The detection limits (3σ) were 0.30 and 0.11 µg L^?1 for Cd and Cu, respectively. The precision (RSD) for 11 replicate measurements was 2.1% at the 10‐µg L^?1 Cd level and 2.4% at the 10‐µg L^?1 Cu level. The developed method was successfully applied to the determination of trace Cd and Cu in a variety of environmental and biological samples.