Modified carbon-containing electrodes in stripping voltammetry of metals

Papers dealing with modified electrodes made of carbon materials and composites for use in stripping voltammetry of metals have been reviewed. The review consists of two parts, of which the first considers applications of modified glassy carbon and carbon paste electrodes, while the second describes diverse modified carbon-containing composite and microscopic electrodes. Information about modifiers, electrode modification methods, conditions, and limits of detection of elements in different materials has been tabulated. The review covers 550 papers published in Russia and abroad between 1990 and the first half of 2007.     

Microcell for anodic stripping voltammetry of trace metals

A microcell for batch injection stripping voltammetry of trace metals with the use of a rotating disk working electrode has been developed and tested for samples of 0.2-0.3 mL. The detection limits for Pb(2+), Cd(2+) and Zn(2+) are 0.03 ppb and 0.3 for a deposition time of 5.0 and 0.5 min, respectively.     

Microcell for anodic stripping voltammetry of trace metals

A microcell for batch injection stripping voltammetry of trace metals with the use of a rotating disk working electrode has been developed and tested for samples of 0.2–0.3 mL. The detection limits for Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ are 0.03 ppb and 0.3 for a deposition time of 5.0 and 0.5 min, respectively.     

Determination of trace metals in rain water by differential-pulse stripping voltammetry

Differential-pulse stripping voltammetry is applied to measure zinc, cadmium, lead and copper by anodic stripping and selenium(IV) by cathodic stripping in rain water at pH 2; subsequently, at pH 9,1, manganese is measured by anodic stripping on the same portion, and cobalt and nickel are measured in the adsorptive mode after formation of their dimethylglyoximates. The instrumental parameters are optimized. The linear ranges, mutual interferences and detection limits are studied. Excellent accuracy is demonstrated; the standard deviation is around 15% at 2.5–50 μg l^?1 levels. The method is shown to be applicable for rain water.     

Microcells for voltammetry and stripping voltammetry

The designs and applications of "non-flow" microcells in voltammetry and stripping voltammetry for samples with volumes from sub-microliters to 5 ml are reviewed. The analysis of microcell designs was carried out on the basis of their classification: (i) microcells with a static sample, including thin-layer microcells with a static sample; (ii) microcells with forced convection of the sample; and (iii) microcells for batch injection of samples. Two working electrode types (the usual state and inverted state) are discussed. The use of working micro- and mercury-film electrodes and of the accelerated removal of dissolved oxygen are also considered in detail.     

Cathodic stripping voltammetry and adsorptive stripping voltammetry of selenium(IV)

Cathodic stripping voltammetry of selenium(IV) in 0.1 M hydrochloric acid media yielded a nonlinear calibration graph for the concentration range 10^?9?10^?8 M. In this concentration range, adsorptive stripping voltammetry based on adsorption of the selenium/3,3′-diaminobenzidine complex on the surface of the hanging mercury drop electrode at the deposition potential of +0.05 V (vs. SCE) is more convenient. A linear calibration graph is obtained for selenium concentrations of 3×10^?9?3×10?8 M, with an accumulation time of 300 s.     

The determination of some 2-thiobarbiturates by cathodic stripping voltammetry

Pulse polarography and cyclic voltammetry are employed in studies of the electrochemical behaviour of 5-ethyl-5'-(l-methylbutyl)-2-thiobarbituric acid (I), l-methyl-5-ethyl-5'-(l-methylpropyl)-2-thiobarbituric acid (II) and l,3-dimethyl-5-ethyl-5'-p-chlorophenyl)-2-thiobarbituric acid (III) in the pH range 4–12. All three compounds show anodic and cathodic waves or peaks in this pH range. Compounds (I) and (II) are oxidized at mercury indicator electrodes to produce mercury salts which can adsorb thereon and are thus amenable to cathodic stripping voltammetric analysis (c.s.v.) down to concentrations of the order of 10^-6 M, which is superior to the sensitivities obtained by differential pulse polarography (d.p.p.) based on a reduction peak. Compound (III) oxidizes to produce sulphur which is subsequently plated as HgS. Again the sensitivity of the c.s.v. method is of the order of lO^-6 M and analytically superior to d.p.p. The optimum pH for the three determinations is 8. The determination of (II) in the presence of its oxygenated analogue and metabolite, phemitone, and the effect of chloride ions are reported.     

Interaction between co-deposited metals during stripping voltammetry at boron-doped diamond electrodes

Electrochemical processes, which underlie the use of conductive diamond electrodes for the simultaneous detection of two or more metal ions in solution by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV), have been investigated. The model analyte system studied contains the two metal species, Ag+(aq) and Pb2+(aq), and the experimental techniques employed include cyclic and square wave voltammetries, along with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and secondary electron microscopy. Although the bulk metallic forms of Ag and Pb are immiscible, several interactions in the system between the two metal species present are observed, which significantly influence the electrodeposition and electrodissolution processes which underlie ASV. The subsequent nucleation and growth of a given metal on the electrode surface is enhanced by the presence of the second metal on the surface. The encapsulation of one metal by the other, within the metal particulates that form on the electrode surface, significantly reduces the stripping yield at the potentials characteristic of the individual metals. The stripping potentials are also influenced by bonding interactions between deposited Ag and Pb, which broaden the characteristic stripping peaks in cyclic voltammetry, as well as producing underpotential deposition and stripping. Given these interactions, the extent to which ASV at diamond electrodes can be used to determine the solution concentrations of Ag+(aq) and Pb2+(aq) is considered.     

Analytical application of differential staircase voltammetry

Summary Differential staircase voltammetry is a technique which utilizes the measurements of the dc-component of differential pulse voltammetry. The analytical applicability of the method was estimated using some well-known electrochemical systems. It could be shown that the detection limits of differential staircase voltammetric determinations are almost equal those obtained with differential pulse voltammetry.     

Determination of allura red in some food samples by adsorptive stripping voltammetry

Square wave (SW) voltammetry was used to explore the adsorption properties of the food additive dye Allura Red on a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). By using the adsorptive stripping voltammetric approach, we developed a sensitive electroanalytical method for the determination of this azo dye. A well-developed voltammetric peak probably related to the cathodic reduction of the azo moiety was obtained in pH 9 Britton-Robinson (B-R) buffer at 613 mV. Cyclic voltammetric studies indicated that the reduction process was irreversible and primarily controlled by adsorption. The adsorptive voltammetric signal was evaluated with respect to various experimental conditions; the optimized values were supporting electrolyte, B-R buffer; pH 11; accumulation time, 180 s; accumulation potential, 0.0 V; scan rate, 900 mV/s; pulse amplitude, 75 mV; and SW frequency, 90 Hz. Adsorptive voltammetric peak current showed a linear response for Allura Red in the concentration range of 2.5 x 10(-8) to 2.0 x 10(-7) mol/L (r = 0.998). The limit of detection was 8.5 x 10(-9) mol/L (4.2 ng/mL), the precision in terms of relative standard deviation was 1.3%, and the mean recovery was 102%. Possible interferences by several substances usually present in food products such as food additive azo dyes (E110, E102), gelatin, natural and artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and antioxidants were also evaluated. The proposed electrochemical procedure was successfully applied to the determination of this food dye in commercially available candy and a soft drink. The results were compared by statistical evaluation with those obtained by a reference spectrophotometric method.     

Trace determination of yttrium and some heavy rare-earths by adsorptive stripping voltammetry

The interfacial and redox behaviour of rare-earth chelates with Solochrome Violet RS are exploited for developing a sensitive adsorptive stripping procedure. Yttrium and heavy rare earths such as dysprosium, holmium and ytterbrium can thus be measured at ng ml levels and below, by controlled adsorptive accumulation of the metal chelate at the hanging mercury drop electrode, followed by voltammetric measurement of the surface species. With a 3-min preconcentration time, the detection limit ranges from 5 x 10(-10) to 1.4 x 10(-9)M. The relative standard deviation at the 7 ng ml level ranges from 4 to 7%. A separation method is required to differentiate between the individual rare-earth metals.     

Labile species of Pb, Zn and Cd determined by anodic stripping staircase voltammetry and their toxicity to tetrahymena

The amounts of free ions and labile complexes of Pb, Zn and Cd have been determined in a complex organic growth medium by use of anodic stripping staircase voltammetry, ASSV. It was possible to determine the labile fractions of metals and to obtain good correlation with data on the toxicity of the metals to Tetrahymena when using a specific reduction potential (E(s)) for each element, - 600, - 800 and - 1200 mV vs. SCE for Pb, Zn and Cd, respectively. The labile fractions in the organic growth medium were less than 1% for Pb (Pb precipitated), 15% for Zn (as labile complexes) and 30-40% for Cd (as free ions) for total heavy metal concentrations of 0.5mM-2mM. The toxicity to Tetrahymena decreased in the order Cd Zn Pb. The effect of Pb was greater than predicted by ASSV, probably because Tetrahymena additionally ingests the lead-containing precipitate and therefore is exposed to concentrations of Pb exceeding those of the soluble species found in the medium. The results stress the importance of using different specific reduction potentials when different elements are compared, instead of one potential common to all elements. The use of a fixed potential may lead to erroneous conclusions regarding the concentrations of labile species in solution.     

Multielement analysis in stripping voltammetry

An original software that allows different versions of stripping voltammetry to be used in domestic Khan-2 and VA-03 computer-controlled analyzers is tested. An increase in the number of metal ions to be determined in a sample by stripping voltammetry to five or more components is exemplified by the determination of the components of the Cd(II)-Pb(II)-Cu(II) model system in the proposed supporting electrolyte (NH₄Cl, pH 2–4) at a gradiently formed mercury-graphite electrode. These conditions provide the stability of a droplet mercury coating of the electrode, a change in the potentials of the group deposition of the components, and the optimization of the analytical signals. The analytical potential of the specified approaches are estimated by determining the number of components in the control and real-water samples using different methods.     

Determination of some quinoxaline-N-dioxide derivatives by adsorptive stripping voltammetry

Some derivatives of quinoxaline-N-dioxides, which are used as growth promoters in animals (Carbadox, Cyadox, Olaquindox), can be determined at nanomolar concentrations by stripping volatammetry from a static mercury drop electrode after adsorptive accumulation on the electrode surface. With differential pulse voltammetry, in 0.1 M sodium perchlorate with 5% (v/v) dimethylformamide, the detection limit for Cyadox is 3 × 10^?10 mol 1^?1 after accumulation for 300 s in stirred solution; detection limits are 2 × 10^?9 mol 1^?1 (180 s accumulation) for Carbadox and 7 × 10 mol 1^?1 (60 s accumulation) for Olaquindox. The relative standard deviations are 0.85% for Cyadox (4 × 10^?9 mol 1^?1), 0.54% for Carbadox (2 × 10^?8 mol 1^?1) and 0.95% for Olaquindox (2 × 10^?8 mol 1^?1). Surfactants interfere.     

Modified carbon-containing electrodes in stripping voltammetry of metals. Part II. Composite and microelectrodes

The second part of the review, which covers modified carbon-containing electrodes, describes composite and microelectrodes. Electrodes made of commercial and laboratory carbon-containing composite materials are discussed. Impregnated and thick-film electrodes and microelectrodes made of carbon fibers form a separate group. Various modifiers and methods of electrode modification are presented. Prospects for the future development of solid-state modified electrodes are considered.     

Determination of heavy metals and iodide by stripping voltammetry in sodium chloride on mercury-graphite electrodes

The behavior of Cd(II), Pb(II), Cu(II), and I⁻ in the aqueous solutions of sodium chloride is studied by stripping voltammetry. A new version of using an indicator electrode from carbon glass ceramics modified with mercury for the consecutive stripping determination of Cd(II), Pb(II), Cu(II), and iodide is proposed. The mercury-graphite electrode was formed in the solution of a supporting electrolyte based on NH₄Cl, HCl, 0.05 M potassium tetraoxalate (KH₃C₄O₃ · 2H₂O), and 5 × 10⁻⁵ M mercury(II). At first, Cd(II), Pb(II), Cu(II), and then iodide were determined by anodic-cathodic stripping voltammetry after adding a sample solution (table salt, 10–100 mg/mL NaCl).     

Use of ultramicroelectrodes for determining lead in natural waters by stripping voltammetry

Anin situ obtained graphite-fiber-based thin-film mercury microelectrode was used for determining lead(II) in natural water by stripping voltammetry without removing oxygen and using no supporting electrolyte. Under the optimum voltammetric conditions (E _el = -1.2 V,t _el = 5 min,c _Hg(II) = 1 x 10^-7 M, ΔE = 40 mV, v= 105 mV/s), the calibration graph was linear in the range of actual lead(II) concentrations in natural waters. At a lead(II) concentration of 0.002 mg/L, the RSD was 11%.     

Determination of trace metals in Nile River and ground water by differential pulse stripping voltammetry

The determination of trace metals in river water and ground water by DPSV is seriously disturbed by the presence of organic complexes. The influence of these substances can be eliminated by acidification of the samples with acids. Cd, Pb and Cu were determined at pH 1.1 (HNO₃ medium) and Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu at pH 2 (HCl medium), in both the Nile river and ground water. Zn was determined at pH 3.5 in HCl and pH 4.5 in HNO₃, after neutralizing the samples with NH₃/NH₄Cl buffer. Manganese could then be determined, after further addition of ammoniacal buffer solution up to pH 7.5 and 8.5. Ni and Co were determined in the adsorptive mode after formation of dimethylglyoximates at pH 9.2. The effect of pH on the stripping peaks of manganese was studied. Good agreement was observed between DPSV and AAS results for Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu and Mn, but the concentrations of Ni and Co were below the detection limits for AAS. Good agreement was obtained between DPSV results in HCl and HNO₃ for Ni and Co. The results indicate that decomposition of organic complexes by acidification with HNO₃ is better than in the case with HCl for Zn, Pb, Cu, Ni and Co, but HCl is better than HNO₃ for Cd and Mn.     

Absorptive accumulation in stripping voltammetry

A critical evaluation of adsorptive accumulation in stripping analysis, with differential pulse polarography for the measurement step, is described. Generally applicable conditions for this method are given. Adsorptive accumulation at a static mercury drop electrode is discussed for some alkaloids, local anaesthetics, surfactants and inorganic ions. Concentrations of 10^-6—10^-8 M are usually measurable.     

Speciation of trace metals in seawater by anodic stripping voltammetry: Critical analytical steps

The speciation of trace metals in seawater based on the voltammetric (DPASV) titration of ligands by metal addition is considered. The method allows the determination of the total metal amount, the labile fraction, the ligand concentration and the related conditional stability constant. Analytical problems related to sample contaminations during sampling, filtration and storage, displacement of complexing equilibria in freeze storage, the kinetics of the reaction of complexation and the potential kinetic lability of organic complexes are discussed and possible solutions presented. Data on quality control tests carried out to verify the accuracy of the laboratory procedure for trace metal determination in seawater are reported.