Indirect Speciation Analysis of Thallium in Plant Extracts by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry

A sensitive voltammetric method (DPASV) was developed for the determination of Tl(I) and Tl(III) in plant extracts. To limit the influence of the organic matrix on the measurements, UV irradiation and addition of Amberlite XAD‐7 resin was studied. The application of 0.5 g of the resin allowed defining thallium speciation in 10.0 mL of a solution containing 0.20 mL of Sinapis alba extract. The quantification limit of 0.5 ng mL^?1 Tl(I) was found for only 10 min of preconcentration, and is low enough to allow dilution of the sample before thallium determination. The procedure was validated using the recovery study and intermethod comparison with HPLC ICP MS.     

Determination of Trace Amounts of Copper in Tap Water Samples with a Calix[4]arene Modified Carbon Paste Electrode by Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry

A calix[4]arene modified carbon paste electrode was used for trace determination of copper. The study of the preconcentration of copper as well as the other heavy metal ions at the modified electrode, with subsequent measurement by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV), indicates the efficient open‐circuit accumulation of the analytes onto the electrode. Many parameters such as the composition of the paste, pH, preconcentration time and stirring rate influence the response of the measurement. The procedure was optimized for copper determination. For a 10‐minute preconcentration time at pH 6.5–7.5, the detection limit (LOD) was 1.1 μg L^?1. The optimized method was successfully applied to the determination of copper in tap water sample by means of standard addition procedure. The copper content of the sample was comparable with the result obtained with AAS method.     

Amperometric Sniffer Based on Electrodes Supported on Ion‐Exchangers for Monitoring the State of Turning Rancid of Lipids

A porous gold electrode supported on one face of an ion‐exchange membrane, acting as a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE), is proposed as an amperometric sniffer for monitoring the aldehyde content in the headspace in equilibrium with lipid samples, in order to gain indication of their state of turning rancid It was used as a detector for a flow injection system in which aldehydes were injected, after preconcentration by solid phase microextraction on a SPME fiber from the gas phase standing above thermostated samples and subsequent desorption by heating. Repeatable (±4.5%) sharp peaks were detected over a wide linear concentration range (0.5–200 ppm). A detection limit of about 0.03 ppm was inferred for a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3, referred to hexylaldehyde (used as prototype) dissolved in squalene or vegetable oils samples. This approach was applied to the determination of volatile aldehydes from some partially oxidized cereal oils and the results found were compared with both the corresponding peroxide values and their aldehyde content determined by a conventional spectrophotometric method.     

A sensitive determination of dopamine in the presence of ascorbic acid using a nafion-coated clinoptilolite-modified carbon paste electrode

A selective dopamine determination using a nafion-coated clinoptilolite-modified carbon paste electrode in the presence of ascorbic acid was studied. Both cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) were used for measurements of dopamine. To improve the selectivity of the clinoptilolite-modified carbon paste electrode in presence of a high concentration of ascorbic acid, the electrode surface was coated with nafion membrane. Experimental parameters affecting the determination of dopamine, including the clinoptilolite ratio, nafion membrane thickness, preconcentration time, preconcentration solution pH, stripping solution pH and interferences are discussed. The developed sensor has a wide linear range, a low detection limit, and good stability and reproducibility. The sensor offers a good alternative to existing analytical methods for dopamine, permits a relatively short analysis time, and is simple, selective and inexpensive.     

Amperometric Detection of 4‐Chlorophenol on Two Types of Expanded Graphite Based Composite Electrodes

The assessment of an expanded graphite‐Ag‐zeolite‐epoxy composite (EG‐Z‐Ag‐Epoxy) electrode for the determination of 4‐chlorophenol (4‐CP) is described and compared to the corresponding expanded graphite‐epoxy composite (EG‐Epoxy) electrode. Cyclic voltammetry was used to characterize the electrochemical behavior and determination of 4‐CP at both electrodes in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ and 0.1 M NaOH supporting electrolytes. A substantial enhancement of sensitivity for the determination of 4‐CP at the EG‐Z‐Ag‐Epoxy electrode was reached by applying a chemical preconcentration step prior to voltammetric quantification. Also, under these last conditions the lowest limit of detection of 1 μM illustrates the analytical versatility of this electrode in a concentration range where aquatic 4‐chlorophenol pollution is known to occur.     

Determination of Thallium at A Silver‐Gold Alloy Electrode by Voltammetric Methods in Plant Material and Bottom Sediment Containing Cd and Pb

The applicability of the subtractive anodic stripping voltammetry (SASV) using the square‐wave mode at the silver‐gold alloy electrode has been studied for thallium determination in the presence of large amount of lead and cadmium in natural samples. 10 mmol L^?1 perchloric acid was found as the most suitable supporting electrolyte for determination in synthetic solutions. The thallium peak was separated about 200 mV from Cd+Pb peak. Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid addition was necessary to determine thallium at the silver‐gold alloy electrode in digested plant and sediment. The determination limit was equal to 1.4 μg L^?1. The method was validated by the inter‐method comparison (ICP‐MS).     

Solid Phase Extraction of Thallium(III) on Micro Crystalline Naphthalene Modified with N,N’-Bis(3-methylsalicylidene)- ortho-phenylenediamine and Determination by Spectrophotometry

A novel, simple, sensitive and effective method has been developed for preconcentration of thallium on N,N’-bis(3-methylsalicylidene)-ortho-phenylenediamine (MSOPD) adsorbent in a pH range 5.0—10.0, prior to its spectrophotometric determination, based on the oxidation of bromopyrogallol red at λ＝520 nm. This method makes it possible to quantitize thallium in a range of 3.6×10－9 to 2.0×10－5 mol/L, with a detection limit (S/N＝3) of 1.42×10－9 mol/L. This procedure has been successfully applied to determine the ultra trace levels of thallium in the environmental samples, free from the interference of some diverse ions. The precision, expressed as relative standard deviation of three measurements, is better than 2.9%.     

Exfoliated Graphite Oxide Modified Electrode for the Selective Determination of Picomolar Concentration of Lead

We report the selective, picomolar determination of lead(II) ions using exfoliated graphite oxide (EGO) modified glassy carbon electrode. Exfoliated graphite oxide is the oxidized form of exfoliated graphite containing a variety of functional groups such as hydroxyl, phenolic and carboxyl groups. The EGO can be dispersed as a stable colloid in a wide range of pH, from 2 to 11. This leads to the flexibility of film formation on substrates and use of a variety of functional groups to complex lead ions. The analyte is preconcentrated and subsequently determined using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. The factors influencing the determination of lead such as the pH of the analyte solution, preconcentration time and the thickness of EGO layer on the electrode surface have been optimized. Two linear ranges are observed between 1 mM and 10 μm and 0.1 μM and 1 pM for a 5 minute preconcentration time. The lowest detection limit is found to be 1 pM. The main advantages of the electrode are the ease of preparation of the modified electrode, low cost, sensitivity and selectivity. The analytical utility of the EGO modified electrode in the determination of lead is demonstrated by application to several water samples.     

Sensitive Voltammetric Determination of Cadmium(II) with 8‐Hydroxyquinoline and Ionic Liquid Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

In this paper 8‐hydroxyquinoline (HQ) and ionic liquid (IL) modified carbon paste electrode was fabricated and used for the sensitive determination of cadmium(II) with differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). The modified electrode was prepared by the addition of HQ and IL 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazoliam ethylsulphate as the modifiers into the traditional carbon paste mixture. Cd(II) was preconcentrated and reduced on the surface of the modified electrode at the potential of ‐1.0 V (vs. SCE) by the co‐contributions from the formation of HQ‐Cd(II) complex and the accumulation effect of IL. Then the reduced Cd on the electrode surface was reoxidized by DPASV with a sensitive oxidation peak appeared at ‐0.79 V (vs. SCE). Under the optimal conditions the oxidation peak current was proportional to the Cd(II) concentration in the range from 0.03 to 2.0 mol/L with the detection limit as 5.0 nmol/L (3σ). The proposed method was successfully applied to the water samples detection with the recovery in the range from 95.6% to 96.6%.     

Preconcentration and differential pulse voltammetry of butylated hydroxyanisole at a carbon paste electrode

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and other tocopherols are shown to accumulate very strongly onto carbon paste, with the surface species retaining their characteristic electroactivity. This accumulation serves as a preconcentration step which improves the voltammetric measurement with respect to the sensitivity and selectivity. After 5-min preconcentration, a detection limit near 2 × 10^?8 M BHA is obtained. Enhanced selectivity is achieved if the electrode is transferred into an electrolytic blank solution between the preconcentration and measurement steps. The accumulated analyte can then be quantified in the presence of a 10³-fold amount of a solution species with similar redox potential. The differential pulse stripping response is evaluated with respect to concentration dependence, reproducibility, preconcentration period, detection limit, and other variables. The preconcentration/medium exchange approach is exploited for selective detection of BHA in a flow injection system. Applicability to various real samples is illustrated.     

Flow Injection Analysis of Aluminum Chlorohydrate in Antiperspirant Deodorants Using a Built‐in Three‐in‐one Screen‐Printed Silver Electrode

A screen‐printed silver strip with a built‐in three‐in‐one electrode (SPAgE) configuration of Ag‐working, Ag‐counter and Ag/Ag_xO (silver oxides) pseudoreference electrodes has been developed for sensitive and selective electrochemical flow injection analysis (FIA) of aluminum chlorohydrate (ACH) present in antiperspirants, through the free Cl^? ion liberated from ACH in aqueous medium, as a redox signal at Ag‐working electrode in pH 6 phosphate buffer solution (PBS). The solution phase and instrumental parameters were systematically optimized. The calibration graph was linear in the window 1–200 ppm concentration of ACH and the lowest detection limit (S/N=3) was 295 ppb with a slope of 0.0989 μA/ppm and regression coefficient of 0.998. Calculated relative standard deviation (RSD) values for the detection of 5 and 50 ppm ACH by this method are 2.21 % and 2.16 %, respectively. Four different antiperspirant deodorants real samples with and without ACH content were successfully analyzed and the detected values obtained were found to be in good agreement with the product labeled values.     

Polythymine Oligonucleotide‐Modified Gold Electrode for Voltammetric Determination of Mercury(II) in Aqueous Solution

Polythymine oligonucleotide (PTO)‐modified gold electrode (PTO/Au) was developed for selective and sensitive Hg²⁺ detection in aqueous solutions. This modified electrode was prepared by self‐assembly of thiolated polythymine oligonucleotide (5′‐SH‐T₁₅‐3′) on the gold electrode via Au? S bonds, and then the surface was passivated with 1‐mercaptohexanol solution. The proposed electrode utilizes the specific binding interactions between Hg²⁺ and thymine to selectively capture Hg²⁺, thereby reducing the interference from coexistent ions. After exchanging the medium, electrochemical reduction at ?0.2 V for 60 s, voltammetric determination was performed by differential pulse voltammetry using 10 mM HEPES; pH 7.2, 1 M NaClO₄ as supporting electrolyte. This electrode showed increasing voltammetric response in the range of 0.21 nM Hg²⁺, with a relative standard deviation of 5.32% and a practical detection limit of 60 pM. Compared with the conventional stripping approach, the modified electrode exhibits good sensitivity and selectivity, and is expected to be a new type of green electrode.     

New Electrochemical Sensor of Prolonged Application for Metformin Determination Based on Hydrated Ruthenium Dioxide‐Carbon Black‐Nafion Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

Metformin (MET) is an antidiabetic drug most commonly used in treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2D). Adsorptive stripping voltammetric method using carbon black – hydrated ruthenium dioxide – Nafion modified glassy carbon electrode (CB‐RuO₂‐Nafion GC electrode) have been developed for metformin determination in pharmaceutical formulations. By using ruthenium dioxide, electrode's lifespan was extended to at least 3 weeks (change of metrological parameters estimated as 3–4 %) what is an excellent result concerning other solutions previously described in the literature. Moreover the fabrication of the sensor is simple and fast. Deposition step was carried out at the potential 0 mV for 15 s. The best results were obtained in 0.05 M acetate buffer (pH 4.6). Important aspect was fixed MET : Cu(II) ratio equal to 1 : 8, otherwise linear dependence between register current and MET concentration could not be obtained. In addition, a significant improvement in the parameters of the calibration curve was obtained. Limit of detection was equal to 0.7 μM. Developed method was successfully applied in analysis of 2 pharmaceuticals products and in wastewater and river water. Accuracy of the method was estimated using recoveries, which were in the range 101–110 %. In order to adapt developed system into hydrodynamic conditions, amperometry in hydrodynamic transport conditions and flow injection analysis (FIA) measurements have been conducted. Conducted FIA measurements prove that developed method has potential for application in automized flow systems without frequent calibration.     

Mercury‐modified Lignosulfonate‐stabilized Gold Nanoparticles as an Alternative Material for Anodic Stripping Voltammetry of Thallium

Lignosulfonate‐stabilized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs‐LS) were synthesized and subsequently used as a complexing agent for mercury ions. The obtained AuNPs‐LS/Hg²⁺ complex was characterized by means of various physicochemical techniques such as UV‐vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Furthermore, the resulting complex was evaluated as an electrode modifier for the development of amperometric sensors. Upon sufficient negative potential, the bound mercury ions are reduced to form an amalgam with AuNPs‐LS. Thus, the performance of glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified by AuNPs‐LS/Hg film was investigated as an electrochemical sensor in the determination of Tl⁺ ions in a 0.05 M EDTA at pH 4.5. The presence of the mercury containing film improves the analyte accumulation due to its ability to form a fused amalgam with thallium. The presented data indicate that the GCE/AuNPs‐LS/Hg modified electrode shows better performance toward Tl⁺ determination in comparison to bare GCE. The stripping anodic peak current of thallium was linear over its concentration range from 1.7⋅10⁻⁷ to 5.0⋅10⁻⁶ M. The detection limit (3σ) was estimated to be 1.4⋅10⁻⁷ M. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of thallium ions in real samples of soil derived from the area of the copper smelter near Głogów (Poland).     

A Simple and Highly Sensitive Electrochemically Reduced p‐Nitrobenzoic Acid Film Modified Sensor for Determination of Mercury

Herein, a simple electrochemical sensor was fabricated for sensing Hg²⁺ ions by using electrochemically reduced p‐nitrobenzoic acid molecules modified (ERpNBA) glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The modified electrode was applied for the determination of Hg²⁺ ions by using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). Experimental parameters such as concentration of p‐nitrobenzoic acid used for electrode modification, pH, accumulation time and deposition potential used for the determination of Hg²⁺ ions were optimized. The strong interaction between the Hg²⁺ ions and the lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atoms of ERpNBA molecules leads to highly selective adsorption of Hg²⁺ ions on the modified electrode. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the sensor showed higher sensitivity and very low detection limit for Hg²⁺ ions than other metal ions such as Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions. The LOD for Hg²⁺ ions was 240 pM which is below the guideline value given by the World Health Organization and the earlier reports.     

Determination of Some Heavy Metal Ions with a Carbon Paste Electrode Modified by Poly(glycidylmethacrylate‐methylmethacrylate‐divinylbenzene) Microspheres Functionalized by 2‐Aminothiazole

A carbon paste electrode modified with 2‐aminothiazole functionalized poly(glycidylmethacrylate‐methylmethacrylate‐divinylbenzene) microspheres was used for trace determination of mercury, copper and lead ions. After the open‐circuit accumulation of the heavy metal ions onto the electrode, the sensitive anodic stripping peaks were obtained by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV)). Many parameters such as the composition of the paste, pH, preconcentration time, effective potential scan rate and stirring rate influence the response of the measurement. The procedures were optimized for most sensitive and reliable determinations of the desired species. For a 10‐min preconcentration time in synthetic solutions at optimum instrumental and experimental conditions, the detection limit (LOD) was 12.3, 2.8 and 4.5 μg L^?1 for mercury, copper and lead, respectively. The limits of detection may be enhanced by increasing the preconcentration time. For example, LOD of mercury and copper was 4.9 and 1.0 μg L^?1 for fifteen minutes preconcentration time. The sensitivity may also considered to be increased by using a more suitable electrode composition targeting the more conductive electrode with lesser amount of modified polymer for sub‐μg L^?1 levels of heavy metal ions. The optimized method was successfully applied to the determination of copper in tap water and waste water samples by means of standard addition procedure. The copper content found was comparable with the certified concentration of the waste water sample. The calibration plots for mercury and lead spiked real samples were also drawn.     

Square-wave anodic stripping voltammetric determination of thallium(I) at a Nafion/mercury film modified electrode

A Nafion/mercury film electrode (NMFE) was used for the determination of trace thallium(I) in aqueous solutions. Thallium(I) was preconcentrated onto the NMFE from the sample solution containing 0.01 M ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), and determined by square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). Various factors influencing the determination of thallium(I) were thoroughly investigated. This modified electrode exhibits good resistance to interferences from surface-active compounds. The presence of EDTA effectively eliminated the interferences from metal ions, such as lead(II) and cadmium(II), which are generally considered as the major interferents in the determination of thallium at a mercury electrode. With 2-min preconcentration, linear calibration graphs were obtained over the range 0.05-100 ppb of thallium(I). An even lower detection limit, 0.01 ppb, were achieved with 5-min accumulation. The electrode is easy to prepare and can be readily renewed after each stripping experiment. Applicability of this procedure to various water samples is illustrated.     

Carbon Paste Electrode Modified with Carbamoylphosphonic Acid Functionalized Mesoporous Silica: A New Mercury‐Free Sensor for Uranium Detection

This study reports a new approach for developing a uranium electrochemical sensor that is mercury‐free, solid‐state, and has less chance for ligand depletion than existing sensors. A carbon‐paste electrode modified with carbamoylphosphonic acid self‐assembled monolayer on mesoporous silica was developed for uranium detection based on an adsorptive square‐wave stripping votammetry technique. Voltammetric responses for uranium detection are reported as a function of pH, preconcentration time, and aqueous phase uranium concentration. The uranium detection limit is 25 ppb after 5 minutes preconcentration and improved to 1 ppb after 20 minutes preconcentration. The relative standard deviations are normally less than 5%.     

Ultrasensitive and Simple Method for Determination of N‐Acetyl‐L‐Cysteine in Drug Formulations Using a Diamond Sensor

A boron‐doped diamond (BDD) electrode coupled to flow injection analysis (FIA) was firstly developed for determination of N‐acetyl‐L ‐cysteine (NAC) in drug formulations. The effects of experimental parameters including pH, applied potential and scan rate on the response were investigated. FIA amperometry was applied as an automatic method for the quantitative detection of trace amounts of NAC. A wide linear range of 0.5–50 µmol/L and a low detection limit of 10 nmol/L were obtained. The results of amperometric determinations show a very good reproducibility, and the RSD for the measurement based on 10 measurements was <3.7 % and <4.1 % for intra‐ and inter‐day, respectively. The benefits of the proposed method are fast, simple, sensitive and no requirement of complicated operational steps.     

Palladium Particles‐Impregnated Natural Phosphate Electrodes for Electrochemical Determination of Mercury in Ambient Water Samples

We present here a simple procedure for the determination of mercury(II) using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) at palladium particles‐impregnated natural phosphate modified carbon paste electrodes (Pd‐NP‐CPE). The surface of modified electrode was characterized using SEM, infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction and electrochemical analysis. All experimental variables involved in the voltammetric stripping method were optimized. The detection limit was found to be 4.99×10^?8 mol L^?1 (S/N=3) that is not different to the permitted value for Hg(II) in water reported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The proposed electrode exhibits good applicability for monitoring Hg(II) in tap and wastewater.