Speciation of chromium in mineral waters and salinas by solid-phase extraction and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple GF-AAS method for speciation analysis of chromium in mineral waters and salinas was developed. Cr(VI) species were separated from Cr(III) by solid-phase extraction with APDC (ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate). The APDC complexes were formed in the sample solution under proper conditions, adsorbed on Diaion HP-2MG resin and the resin was separated from the sample. After elution with concentrated nitric acid Cr(VI) was determined by GF-AAS. Total chromium was determined by GF-AAS directly in the sample and Cr(III) concentration was calculated as the difference between those results.

The detection limit of the method defined as 3 s of background variation was 0.03 μg l⁻¹ for Cr(VI) and 0.3 μg l⁻¹ for total chromium. RSD for Cr(VI) determination at the concentration of 0.14 μg l⁻¹ was 9%, and for total chromium at the concentration of 5.6 μg l⁻¹ was 5%. The recovery of Cr(VI) was in the range of 94–100%, dependently on type of the sample.

The investigation of recovery of the spiked Cr(VI) showed that at concentration levels near 1 μg l⁻¹ and lower recovery may be reduced significantly even by pure reagents that seem to be free from any reductants.     

Speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in water after preconcentration of its 1,5-diphenylcarbazone complex on amberlite XAD-16 resin and determination by FAAS

A simple and sensitive method for the speciation, separation and preconcentration of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) in tap water was developed. Cr(VI) has been separated from Cr(III) and preconcentrated as its 1,5-diphenylcarbazone complex by using a column containing Amberlite XAD-16 resin and determined by FAAS. Total chromium has also been determined by FAAS after conversion of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) by oxidation with KMnO₄. Then, Cr(III) has been calculated by subtracting Cr(VI) from the total. The effect of acidity, amount of adsorbent, eluent type and flow rate of the sample solution on to the preconcentration procedure has been investigated. The retained Cr(VI) complex was eluated with 10 ml of 0.05 mol l⁻¹ H₂SO₄ solution in methanol. The recovery of Cr(VI) was 99.7±0.7 at 95% confidence level. The highest preconcentration factor was 25 for a 250 ml sample volume. The detection limit of Cr(VI) was found as 45 μg l⁻¹. The adsorption capacity of the resin was found as 0.4 mg g⁻¹ for Cr (VI). The effect of interfering ions has also been studied. The proposed method was applied to tap water samples and chromium species have been determined with the relative error <3%.     

Field speciation of chromium with a sequential injection lab-on-valve incorporating a bismuthate immobilized micro-column

A fully automated and portable analyzer for field speciation of inorganic chromium in wastewater was developed. The instrument consists of a micro-sequential injection lab-on-valve (LOV) system and a miniature USB2000 spectrophotometer. A multi-purpose flow cell was incorporated on one side of the main body of the LOV, which offers vast potentials and versatilities in its compatibility with various detection modes. On-line oxidation of trivalent chromium was performed on a bismuthate immobilized silica micro-column reactor integrated in the LOV. When determining Cr(VI), its chromogenic reaction with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide (DPC) was facilitated in the flow cell and the absorbance was monitored in situ at 548 nm via optical fibers. While for the quantification of total chromium, Cr(III) was oxidized on-line by aspirating sample solution through the oxidizing column reactor, followed by chromogenic reaction with DPC and the absorbance was monitored in the flow cell. With a sampling volume of 200 μl, the detection limits of 5.6 μg l⁻¹ for Cr(VI) and 6.8 μg l⁻¹ for total chromium were achieved along with a sampling frequency of 60 h⁻¹. A R.S.D. value of 2.0% was recorded at 32 μg l⁻¹ of Cr(VI). The practical applicability of the speciation analyzer was validated by analyzing Cr(VI) and total chromium contents in two certified reference materials. The feasibility of performing rapid field speciation of chromium in wastewater samples was also demonstrated.     

Cloud point extraction for the determination of As(III) in water samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Cloud point extraction was applied as a preconcentration step for electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) determination of As(III) in aqueous solutions. After complexation with ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate, the analyte was quantitatively extracted to the surfactant-rich phase in the non-ionic surfactant octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol (Triton X-114) after centrifugation. 0.1 mol L⁻¹ HNO₃ in methanol was added to the surfactant-rich phase before ETAAS determination. The precision (R.S.D.) for 11 replicate determinations of 5.0 μg L⁻¹ of As(III) was 3.0%. The concentration factor, which is defined as the concentration ratio of the analyte in the final diluted surfactant-rich extract ready for ETAAS determination and in the initial solution, was 36 for As(III). The linear concentration range was from 0.1 to 20 μg L⁻¹. The developed method was applied to the determination of As(III) in lake water and river water.     

As, Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb pressurized liquid extraction with acetic acid from marine sediment and soil samples

Rapid leaching procedures by Pressurized Liquid Extraction (PLE) have been developed for As, Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb leaching from environmental matrices (marine sediment and soil samples). The Pressurized Liquid Extraction is completed after 16 min. The released elements by acetic acid Pressurized Liquid Extraction have been evaluated by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. The optimum multi-element leaching conditions when using 5.0 ml stainless steel extraction cells, were: acetic acid concentration 8.0 M, extraction temperature 100 °C, pressure 1500 psi, static time 5 min, flush solvent 60%, two extraction steps and 0.50 g of diatomaceous earth as dispersing agent (diatomaceous earth mass/sample mass ratio of 2). Results have showed that high acetic acid concentrations and high extraction temperatures increase the metal leaching efficiency. Limits of detection (between 0.12 and 0.5 μg g^− 1) and repeatability of the over-all procedure (around 6.0%) were assessed. Finally, accuracy was studied by analyzing PACS-2 (marine sediment), GBW-07409 (soil), IRANT-12-1-07 (cambisol soil) and IRANT-12-1-08 (luvisol soil) certified reference materials (CRMs). These certified reference materials offer certified concentrations ranges between 2.9 and 26.2 μg g^− 1 for As, from 0.068 to 2.85 μg g^− 1 for Cd, between 26.4 and 90.7 μg g^− 1 for Cr, from 9.3 to 40.0 μg g^− 1 for Ni and between 16.3 and 183.0 μg g^− 1 for Pb. Recoveries after analysis were between 95.7 and 105.1% for As, 96.2% for Cd, 95.2 and 100.6% for Cr, 95.7 and 103% for Ni and 94.2 and 105.5% for Pb.     

Flow injection hydride generation electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric determination of toxicologically relevant arsenic in urine

Analytical procedure for the determination of toxicologically relevant arsenic (the sum of arsenite, arsenate, monomethylarsonate and dimethylarsinate) in urine by flow injection hydride generation and collection of generated inorganic and methylated hydrides on an integrated platform of a transverse-heated graphite atomizer for electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric determination (ETAAS) is elaborated. Platforms are pre-treated with 2.7 μmol of zirconium and then with 0.10 μmol of iridium which serve both as an efficient hydride sequestration medium and permanent chemical modifier. Arsine, monomethylarsine and dimethylarsine are generated from diluted urine samples (10–25-fold) in the presence of 50 mmol L⁻¹ hydrochloric acid and 70 mmol L⁻¹ l-cysteine. Collection, pyrolysis and atomization temperatures are 450, 500, 2100 and 2150 °C, respectively. The characteristic mass, characteristic concentration and limit of detection (3σ) are 39 pg, 0.078 μg L⁻¹ and 0.038 μg L⁻¹ As, respectively. The limits of detection in urine are ca. 0.4 and 1 μg L⁻¹ with 10- and 25-fold dilutions. The sample throughput rate is 25 h⁻¹. Applications to several urine CRMs are given.     

Extraction of arsenic as the diethyl dithiophosphate complex with supercritical fluid and quantitation by cathodic stripping voltammetry

The separation of arsenic based on in situ chelation with ammonium diethyl dithiophosphate (ADDTP) has been carried out using methanol-modified supercritical CO₂. Aliquots of extract were added to an electroanalytical cell and arsenic was determined by square wave cathodic stripping voltammetry (SWCSV) at a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). Quantitative extractions of As(DDTP)₃ were achieved when the experiments were carried out at a pressure of 2500 psi, a temperature of 90 °C, 2.0 mL of methanol, 20.0 min of static extraction and 5.0 min of dynamic extraction in the presence of 18 mg of ADDTP. Analysis of arsenic was made using 150 mg L⁻¹ of Cu(II) in 1 M HCl solution as supporting electrolyte in the presence of ADDTP as ligand. Preconcentration was carried out by deposition at a potential of −0.50 V and the intermetallic compound Cu_xAs_y was reduced at a potential of −0.77 to −0.82 V, depending on ligand concentration. The results showed that the presence of ligand plays an important role, increasing the method's sensitivity and preventing the oxidation of As(III). The calibration graph of the As(DDTP)₃ solution was linear from 0.8 to 12.5 μg L⁻¹ of arsenic (LOD 0.5 μg L⁻¹, R = 0.9992, t_acc = 60 s). The method was validated using carrot pulp spiked with arsenic solution. This method was applied to the determination of arsenic in samples of carrots, beets and irrigation water. Arsenic in beets was: skin 4.10 ± 0.18 mg kg⁻¹; pulp 3.83 ± 0.19 mg kg⁻¹ and juice 0.71 ± 0.09 mg L⁻¹; arsenic in carrots was: skin 2.15 ± 0.09 mg kg⁻¹; pulp 0.59 ± 0.11 mg kg⁻¹ and juice 0.71 ± 0.03 mg L⁻¹. Arsenic in water were: Chiu-Chiu 0.08 mg L⁻¹, Inacaliri 1.12 mg L⁻¹, and Salado river 0.17 ± 0.07 mg L⁻¹.     

Chromium speciation using activated alumina microcolumns and sequential injection analysis-flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A new procedure has been developed for chromium speciation in water by sequential injection analysis and flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The method involves the online retention of Cr(VI) anionic species and Cr(III) cationic species on alumina microcolumns, prepared by packing activated alumina in polytetrafluoroethylene tubes, followed by selective elution of Cr(VI) with 2 mol l⁻¹ NH₄OH and of Cr(III) with 0.2 mol l⁻¹ HNO₃. Studies were carried out on the effect of retention and elution conditions for both Cr species. The limit of detection values, established as the concentration corresponding to three times the standard deviation of blank measurements divided by the slope of the calibration line, achieved were 42 μg l⁻¹ for Cr(VI) and 81 μg l⁻¹ for Cr(III). The relative standard deviation of three independent determination of natural spiked samples were lower than 10% for concentration levels between 0.5 and 2 mg l⁻¹ of Cr. The developed procedure was applied to the analysis of two effluent sewage waters, and results obtained compared well with those obtained by a batch procedure. Recovery studies on natural spiked samples provided results between 93 and 103% for Cr(VI) and from 100 to 106% for Cr(III) for samples spiked with single species. For samples spiked with both Cr(VI) and Cr(III), the average recoveries varied from 86 to 101% for Cr(VI) and from 91 to 117% for Cr(III).     

Spectrophotometric determination of chromium(III, VI) by use of chromium(III, VI)-Chrome AzurolS-cetylpyridinium bromide-hydroxylamine hydrochloride-zinc(II) system

This paper shows that the sensitivity of the Cr(III, VI)—Chrome Azurol S (CAS)-cetylpyridinium bromide (CPB)—hydroxylamine hydrochloride system can be increased and the wavelength of maximum absorption slightly shifted by addition of zinc(II) and that the analytical data are practically identical for both Cr(III) and Cr(VI), indicating that under the conditions used both initial oxidation states of chromium yield the same final oxidation state, Cr(III). On the basis of the Cr(III, VI)—CAS—CPB—NH₂OH·HCl—Zn systems a new, highly sensitive and selective method for spectrophotometric determination of microamounts of Cr(III, VI) has been developed, with molar absorptivity of 1.27 × 10⁵ 1. mole⁻¹ . cm⁻¹ for the complex at 620 nm and linear calibration up to 0.4 μg/ml chromium. Various foreign ions do not interfere. The method can be applied to direct determination of chromium in steels.     

Speciation of chromium by ion chromatography and laser-enhanced ionization: optimization of the excitation-ionization scheme

Ion chromatography and laser-enhanced ionization were combined for the speciation of chromium at the trace level. Several one- and two-step excitation schemes were examined, in the UV and visible regions of the spectrum. It was found that a near-resonant two-step/one-color excitation scheme, using a single strongly saturating laser for the simultaneous excitation of both steps of the (3d⁵4s) ⁷S₃→(3d⁵4p) ⁷P₃⁰→(3d⁴4s5s) ⁷D₄ sequence, provides the best analytical results. This scheme was applied to the determination of total chromium in solutions directly aspirated into the air–acetylene flame, and to the determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) separated by ion chromatography. A detection limit of 0.5 ng/mL was obtained by direct solution aspiration, with a dynamic range covering four orders of magnitude. Detection limits of 5 ng/mL for Cr(III) and 4 ng/mL for Cr(VI) were obtained by ion chromatography and laser-enhanced ionization.     

Hydrogen peroxide in basic media for whole blood sample dissolution for determination of its lead content by electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry

Hydrogen peroxide in basic media is proposed as a means for dissolving whole blood samples to be analyzed by electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry, ET AAS. Approximately 2 g of the whole blood sample were directly weighed in a 150 mL volumetric flask; 3 mL of a NaOH 0.2 mol L⁻¹ solution, two drops of 1-octanol, as an antifoaming agent, and 1 mL of 30% volume hydrogen peroxide were added to the flask to promote oxidation. The solution was then manually shaken and after approximately three minutes of shaking, a clear solution, with no apparent suspended solids or greasy layers, was obtained. Distilled-deionized water was used to complete the volume. Ten μL of the resulting solution along with 10 μL of a solution containing 5000 mg L⁻¹ of NH₄H₂PO₄ and 300 mg L⁻¹ of Mg(NO₃)₂ as a modifier, were injected into transversely heated graphite tubes for lead determination. Both aqueous standards and standard addition calibration curves produced results not significantly different at a 95% confidence limit level. Accuracy of the measurements was assessed by analysis of the IAEA A-13 (concentration of trace and minor elements in freeze dried animal blood) standard reference material containing 0.18 mg L⁻¹ lead on a dry basis and by means of recovery tests. Analysis of the IAEA A-13 standard produced 0.17 ± 0.02 mg L⁻¹ lead on a dry basis; recovery tests afforded values from 95 to 105%. Ten consecutive measurements of a 5 ppb lead solution gave a characteristic mass of 47.2 pg and a (3S) detection limit of 1.77 μg L⁻¹ Pb. Results obtained from analysis of whole blood samples of volunteer donors covered a lead concentration range between 8 and 21 μg L⁻¹ with a mean value of 11.9 ± 4.7 μg L⁻¹.     

Optimisation of ICPMS collision/reaction cell conditions for the simultaneous removal of argon based interferences of arsenic and selenium in water samples

The optimisation of ICPMS collision/reaction cell conditions for the simultaneous analysis of arsenic and selenium is described. A mixture of 3.8 mL min⁻¹ of H₂ and 0.5 mL min⁻¹ of He was found to be suitable for the removal of both ArAr⁺ and ArCl⁺ interferences. Detection limits down to 30 ng (element) L⁻¹ in total analysis, and between 81 and 230 ng (element) L⁻¹ in speciation analysis were achieved in chloride matrix (1 g L⁻¹ NaCl). After validation, the method was applied to commercially available mineral waters.     

Immobilization enzyme fluorescence capillary analysis for determination of lactic acid

A new method for the determination of lactic acid based on the immobilization enzyme fluorescence capillary analysis (IE-FCA) was proposed. Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) was immobilized on inner surface of a capillary with glutaraldehyde, and an immobilized enzyme lactate capillary bioreactor (IE-LCBR) was formed for the determination of lactic acid. After nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) is mixed with lactic acid solution, it was sucked into the IE-LCBR and was detected at λ_ex 353 nm/λ_em 466 nm. Optimized conditions are as follows: the temperature is 38 °C; the reaction time is 15 min; the concentrations of Tris buffer (pH 8.8) and NAD⁺ are 0.1 mol L⁻¹ and 4 mmol L⁻¹, respectively; the concentration of LDH used for immobilization is 15 kU L⁻¹. The concentration of lactic acid is directly proportional to the fluorescence intensity measured from 0.50 to 2.0 mmol L⁻¹; and the analytical recovery of added lactic acid was 99–105%. The minimum detection limit of the method is 0.40 mmol L⁻¹ and sensitivity of the IE-CBR is 4.6 F mmol⁻¹ L⁻¹ lactate. Its relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) is ≤2.0%. This IE-FCA method was employed for determination of lactate in milk drink.     

Determination of potassium ions in biodiesel using a nickel(II) hexacyanoferrate-modified electrode

In this work, nickel hexacyanoferrate-modified electrode was developed to determine potassium ions in biodiesel by potentiometry. The modified electrodes exhibit a linear response to potassium ions in the concentration range of 4.0 × 10⁻⁵ to 1.0 × 10⁻² mol L⁻¹, with a detection limit of 1.9 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹, and a near-Nernstian slope (53–55 mV per decade) at 25 °C. The method developed in this work was compared with flame photometry and the potassium concentration found in biodiesel showed that the modified electrode method gives results similar to those obtained by flame photometry.     

Selective determination of airborne hexavalent chromium using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A new method for determining ultra-trace levels of hexavalent chromium in ambient air has been developed. The method involves a 24-h sampling of air into potassium hydroxide solution, followed by silica gel column separation of chromium (VI), then preconcentration by complexation and solvent extraction. The chromium (VI) complex was dissolved in nitric acid. The resultant chromium ions were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) using a dynamic reaction cell (DRC) with ammonia as the reactive gas to reduce polyatomic interferences. The interconversion of chromium in potassium hydroxide solution and air sample matrix were investigated under ambient conditions. It was found that there was no conversion of chromium (VI) into chromium (III) species. However, it was observed that some chromium (III) species were converted into chromium (VI) species. For a KOH solution containing 100 μg l⁻¹ of chromium (III) species, the rate of conversion was found to be 3% after 24 h exposure, 8% after 48 h, 10% after 72 h and no further conversion was observed thereafter. However, in a solution containing air sample matrix, 9.3% of chromium (III) converted to chromium (VI) within 6 h, and during the course of a 11-day exposure period, 13% (range 8–17%) of chromium (III) converted to chromium (VI). The method detection limit (MDL) for chromium (VI) in potassium hydroxide solution (0.025 M) was found to be 2×10⁻² μg l⁻¹. This is equivalent to 0.2 ng m⁻³ (for 23 m³ air sampled into 200 ml of KOH solution over a 24-h period). The recovery of spiked chromium (VI) from solutions containing air sample matrix was 95±9% (n=8). Matrix related interferences were estimated to be less than 10% based on recovery studies. The concentration of airborne chromium (VI) in Sydney residential areas was found to be less than 0.2 ng m⁻³, however, in industrial areas the concentrations ranged from 0.2 to 1.3 ng m⁻³ using this analytical procedure.     

Alkylaminophosphanyl substituted half-sandwich complexes of vanadium(III) and chromium(III): preparation and reactivity in ethylene polymerisation

[Cp^R(RPNEt₂)]M (Cp^R=t-BuC₅H₃, C₅(CH₃)₄, indenyl, fluorenyl; M=Li, K) smoothly react with VCl₃(Me₃P)₂ and CrCl₃(THF)₃ systems giving paramagnetic complexes [Cp^R(R¹PNEt₂)]MCl₂ (M=V(Me₃P)₂, Cr). After reaction with MAO these complexes are active in the polymerisation of ethylene yielding highly crystalline, high-density products of high molecular weight (M_w ranging from 100 000 to 4.5×10⁶ g mol⁻¹, 20≤T_p≤100 °C). Polymerisation with chromium complexes leads to the formation of polyethylenes with broad molecular weight distribution.     

Flow-injection in-line complexation for ion-pair reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography of some metal-4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol chelates

Flow injection (FI) was coupled to ion-pair reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (IP-RPHPLC) for the simultaneous analysis of some metal-4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol (PAR) chelates. A simple reverse flow injection (rFI) set-up was used for in-line complexation of metal-PAR chelates prior to their separation by IP-RPHPLC. The rFI conditions were: injection volume of PAR 85 μL, flow rate of metal stream 4.5 mL min⁻¹, concentration of PAR 1.8 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ and the mixing coil length of 150 cm. IP-RPHPLC was carried out using a C₁₈ μBondapak column with the mobile phase containing 37% acetonitrile, 3.0 mmol L⁻¹ acetate buffer pH 6.0 and 6.2 mmol L⁻¹ tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBABr) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min⁻¹ and visible detection at 530 and 440 nm. The analysis cycle including in-line complexation and separation by IP-RPHPLC was 16 min, which able to separate Cr(VI) and the PAR chelates of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II).     

Voltammetric determination of glucose based on reduction of copper(II)–glucose complex at lanthanum hydroxide nanowire modified carbon paste electrodes

A novel voltammetric method for the determination of β-d-glucose (GO) is proposed based on the reduction of Cu(II) ion in Cu(II)(NH₃)₄²⁺–GO complex at lanthanum(III) hydroxide nanowires (LNWs) modified carbon paste electrode (LNWs/CPE). In 0.1 mol L⁻¹ NH₃·H₂O–NH₄Cl (pH 9.8) buffer containing 5.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ Cu(II) ion, the sensitive reduction peak of Cu(II)(NH₃)₄²⁺–GO complex was observed at −0.17 V (versus, SCE), which was mainly ascribed to both the increase of efficient electrode surface and the selective coordination of La(III) in LNW to GO. The increment of peak current obtained by deducting the reduction peak current of the Cu(II) ion from that of the Cu(II)(NH₃)₄²⁺–GO complex was rectilinear with GO concentration in the range of 8.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 2.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹, with a detection limit of 3.5 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹. A 500-fold of sucrose and amylam, 100-fold of ascorbic acid, 120-fold of uric acid as well as gluconic acid did not interfere with 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ GO determination.     

Kinetic method for the determination of traces of thyroxine by its catalytic effect on the Mn(III) metaphosphate-As(III) reaction

A new, highly sensitive and simple kinetic method for the determination of thyroxine was proposed. The method was based on the catalytic effect of thyroxine on the oxidation of As(III) by Mn(III) metaphosphate. The kinetics of the reaction was studied in the presence of orthophosphoric acid. The reaction rate was followed spectrophotometrically at 516 nm. It was established that orthophosphoric acid increased the reaction rate and that the extent of the non-catalytic reaction was extremely small. A kinetic equation was postulated and the apparent rate constant was calculated. The dependence of the reaction rate on temperature was investigated and the energy of activation and other kinetic parameters were determined.

Thyroxine was determined under the optimal experimental conditions in the range 7.0 × 10⁻⁹ to 3.0 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ with a relative standard deviation up to 6.7% and a detection limit of 2.7 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹. In the presence of 0.08 mol L⁻¹ chloride, the detection limit decreased to 6.6 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹. The proposed method was applied for the determination of thyroxine in tablets. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by comparison with the HPLC method.     

A peroxidase-tetrathiafulvalene biosensor based on self-assembled monolayer modified Au electrodes for the flow-injection determination of hydrogen peroxide

The construction and performance under flow-injection conditions of an integrated amperometric biosensor for hydrogen peroxide is reported. The design of the bioelectrode is based on a mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) self-assembled monolayer (SAM) modified gold disk electrode on which horseradish peroxidase (HRP, 24.3 U) was immobilized by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde together with the mediator tetrathiafulvalene (TTF, 1 μmol), which was entrapped in the three-dimensional aggregate formed.

The amperometric biosensor allows the obtention of reproducible flow injection amperometric responses at an applied potential of 0.00 V in 0.05 mol L⁻¹ phosphate buffer, pH 7.0 (flow rate: 1.40 mL min⁻¹, injection volume: 150 μL), with a range of linearity for hydrogen peroxide within the 2.0 × 10⁻⁷–1.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ concentration range (slope: (2.33 ± 0.02) × 10⁻² A mol⁻¹ L, r = 0.999). A detection limit of 6.9 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ was obtained together with a R.S.D. (n = 50) of 2.7% for a hydrogen peroxide concentration level of 5.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹. The immobilization method showed a good reproducibility with a R.S.D. of 5.3% for five different electrodes. Moreover, the useful lifetime of one single biosensor was estimated in 13 days.

The SAM-based biosensor was applied for the determination of hydrogen peroxide in rainwater and in a hair dye. The results obtained were validated by comparison with those obtained with a spectrophotometric reference method. In addition, the recovery of hydrogen peroxide in sterilised milk was tested.