Determination of Blasticidin S in Spiked Rice Using SW Voltammetry with a Renewable Silver Amalgam Film Electrode

Blasticidin S (BS) was determined in spiked rice samples by square wave voltammetry (SWV) and square wave stripping voltammetry (SWSV) using a cyclic renewable silver amalgam film electrode (Hg(Ag)FE). It was found that the compound can act as an electrocatalyst. In Britton? Robinson buffer at pH 7.0 a signal connected with the hydrogen evolution reaction was detected at ?1.2 V versus Ag/AgCl. Validation of the method was carried out. The detection and quantification limits were found to be 2.13×10^?8 mol L^?1; 7.10×10^?8 mol L^?1 for SWV and 2.65×10^?9 mol L^?1; 8.85×10^?9 mol L^?1 for SWSV, respectively.     

Renewable Silver Amalgam Film Electrode for the Determination of Dinotefuran in Spiked Carrot Juice Samples Using SW Voltammetry

The electrochemical properties of dinotefuran (DNF) were studied by SW voltammetry over the pH range 2.0–8.0 using a silver amalgam film electrode Hg(Ag)FE. The mechanism of electroreduction was analyzed. The dependence of the peak current on pH, buffer concentration, the nature of the buffer, amplitude, frequency, step potential and scan rate were investigated. The repeatability, precision and recovery of the developed method were checked. The detection and quantification limits were found to be 2.01×10^?7 and 6.71×10^?7 mol L^?1, respectively. The standard addition method was used to determine DNF in spiked carrot juice.     

Electrochemical Study of Moroxydine and its Voltammetric Determination with a Silver Amalgam Film Electrode

Moroxydine (Mor.) is an antiviral agent of biguanide structure. The paper presents a new silver amalgam film electrode (Hg(Ag)FE) for determination of Mor. in phosphate buffer, pH 6.2 (LOD=4×10^?9 mol L^?1, LOQ= 1×10^?8 mol L^?1) and in spiked urine using square wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry. It was found that the compound can act as an electrocatalyst not only at hanging mercury drop electrode but also at the Hg(Ag)FE. The electrode mechanism is connected with the hydrogen evolution reaction catalyzed by moroxydine. Adsorption of moroxydine at the mercury electrode was studied and special arrangements of molecules enabling electron transfer of the protonated form of moroxydine is suggested.     

Voltammetric Determination of Acibenzolar‐S‐Methyl Using a Renewable Silver Amalgam Film Electrode

Acibenzolar‐S‐methyl (ASM) is a novel fungicide applied for crop protection. A renewable silver amalgam film electrode was used for the determination of ASM in pH 3.4 Britton? Robinson buffer using square wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry (SW AdSV). The parameters of the method were optimized. The electroanalytical procedure made possible to determine ASM in the concentration range of 5×10^?8–3×10^?7 mol L^?1 (LOD=4.86×10^?9, LOQ=1.62×10^?8 mol L^?1). The effect of common interfering pesticides and heavy metal ions was checked. The validated method was applied in ASM determination in spiked water samples.     

Silver Amalgam Film Electrode of Prolonged Application in Stripping Chronopotentiometry

The utility of the cylindrical silver‐based mercury film electrode of prolonged analytical application in stripping chronopotentiometry (SCP) was examined. This electrode allowed us to obtain good reproducibility of results owing to the special electrode design, which enables regeneration of the thin layer before each measurement cycle. The accessible potential window in KNO₃ (pH 2), acetate and ammonia buffers was defined, and the optimal conditions (i.e., stripping current, deposition potential and deposition time) for the determination of Cd and Pb traces were selected. The detection limits, obtained for an accumulation time of 60 s, were 0.023 μg/L for Cd and 0.075 μg/L for Pb. The response increases linearly with Cd, Pb and Zn concentration, up to at least 100 μg/L. It was also shown that the proposed procedure ensures excellent separation of the In and Tl, Pb and Tl or the In and Cd signals. The method was tested with dolomite and lake sediment samples, and good agreement with reference values was achieved. The obtained results showed good reproducibility (RSD=5–6%) and reliability.     

Adsorptive Stripping Determination of Scandium(III) with Mordant Blue 9 on Silver Amalgam Film Electrode

A new adsorptive stripping voltammetric method for the determination of trace scandium(III) based on the adsorption of scandium(III)‐mordant blue 9 complex on the cyclic renewable mercury film silver based electrode (Hg(Ag)FE) is presented. The effects of various factors such as: preconcentration potential and time, pulse height, step potential and supporting electrolyte composition are optimized. The calibration graph is linear from 2 nM (0.09 μg L^?1) to 90 nM (4 μg L^?1) for a preconcentration time of 45 s, with correlation coefficient of 0.9995. For a Hg(Ag)FE with a surface area of 7.9 mm² the detection limit for a preconcentration time of 90 s is as low as 5 ng L^?1. The repeatability of the method at a concentration level of the analyte as low as 0.2 μg L^?1, expressed as RSD is 1.9 % (n=5). The proposed method was successfully applied and validated by studying the certified reference material (CRM 320 – river sediment) and natural samples with simultaneous recovery of Sc(III) from spiked water and sediment samples.     

Utilization of a Copper Solid Amalgam Electrode for the Analytical Determination of Atrazine

A copper solid amalgam electrode was prepared and used for the voltammetric determination of atrazine in natural water samples by square wave voltammetry. This electrode is a convenient substitute for the hanging mercury electrode since it is selective, sensitive, reliable and inexpensive and presents low toxicity characteristic. The detection limit of atrazine obtained in pure water (laboratory samples) was shown to be lower than the maximum limit of residue established for natural water by the Brazilian Environmental Agency. The relative standard deviation for 10 different measurements was found to be only 3.98% in solutions containing 8.16×10^?6 mol L^?1 of atrazine. In polluted stream water samples, the recovery measurements were approximately 70.00%, sustaining the applicability of the proposed methodology to the analysis of atrazine in such matrices.     

Voltammetric Determination of Nitronaphthalenes at a Silver Solid Amalgam Electrode

Abstract

Electrodes based on amalgam materials were re-introduced in electroanalytical chemistry in the year 2000, partially as reaction to unsubstantiated public fears of liquid mercury. In this publication, the voltammetric behavior of 1-nitronaphthalene and 2-nitronaphthalene was investigated at a mercury meniscus-modified silver solid amalgam electrode. The reduction mechanism in mixed neutral buffer-methanol medium includes the four-electron reduction to hydroxylaminoderivative followed by a two-electron reduction to the amine in acidic medium, similarly to mercury electrodes. In alkaline media, both compounds show the splitting of the main four-electron reduction peak typical for mercury electrodes in two new ones, the first one corresponding to a one electron reduction of the nitroderivative to the nitro radical anion, which was confirmed by microcoulometry. Using optimized conditions (differential pulse voltammetry, Britton-Robinson buffer pH 7.0 – methanol (9:1) medium) the calibration dependences are linear in the range of 2·10^?7 (4·10^?7) to 1·10^?4 mol L^?1 for 1-nitronaphthalene (2-nitronaphthalene). After preconcentration of the analytes from drinking and river water samples using solid phase extraction the limit of determination was lowered to ～3·10^?8 mol L^?1.     

Detecting DNA Damage with a Silver Solid Amalgam Electrode

Mercury electrodes modified with supercoiled (sc) DNA have been used as highly sensitive tools for the detection of DNA strand breaks or as sensors for DNA cleaving substances. In this paper we show that silver solid amalgam electrode (AgSAE), in connection with alternating current voltammetry, provides similar information about DNA damage as the hanging mercury drop electrode. The AgSAE can be used for the detection of enzymatic or chemical DNA cleavage in solution or at the electrode surface. AgSAE modified with scDNA can be utilized as a sensor for DNA nicking substances.     

A Highly Sensitive Method for Determination of Monobutyltin in Aqueous Media by Stripping Voltammetry at a Renewable Silver Amalgam Annular Band Electrode

An adsorptive stripping voltammetric (AdSV) procedure for the determination of monobutyltin in aqueous media at a silver liquid amalgam film‐modified silver solid amalgam annular band electrode (AgLAF? AgSAE) is described. Determination of monobutyltin proceeds in two steps. At the beginning monobutyltin ions (BuSn³⁺) are accumulated from 0.1 M NH₄NO₃ and 10 % ethanol solution at a potential of ?0.2 V, than the BuSn⁰ film is preconcentrated at the working electrode surface at a potential of ?0.7 V. After this step the DP AdSV voltammogram is recorded. The analytical parameters and the procedure of the electrode regeneration and activation were optimized. The calibration curve of monobutyltin in the range 0.02–0.30 mg L^?1 is linear (r=0.9973). The detection limit for 5 s of preconcentration, calculated as 3σ of the blank was equal to 0.004 mg L^?1, repeatability of the peak current was 1.8 % (n=5). Repeatability and sensitivity of monobutyltin determination depends strongly on the analyzed solution properties, measurement conditions and the working electrode quality. The proposed procedure was tested by means of monobutyltin determination in tap waters.     

Renewable Silver‐Amalgam Film Electrode for Rapid Square‐Wave Voltammetric Determination of Thiamethoxam Insecticide in Selected Samples

The paper presents the use of a renewable silver‐amalgam film electrode (Hg(Ag)FE) for the determination of the insecticide thiamethoxam (TMO) in Britton‐Robinson buffer pH 7.0 (LOD=0.25 µg mL^?1, LOQ=0.70 µg mL^?1) by direct cathodic square‐wave voltammetry (SWV). The voltammetric response for TMO obtained at this electrode was the same as that obtained with a hanging mercury drop electrode, represented by two distinct reduction peaks. Since the electron transfer processes are coupled with chemical reactions involving protons, the SWV signals strongly depend on the pH of the supporting electrolyte. The developed Hg(Ag)FE‐SWV method was tested for the determination of TMO in spiked honey and river water samples, as well as for the determination of its content in the commercial formulation Actara 25 WG.     

Voltammetric Determination of Azidothymidine Using Silver Solid Amalgam Electrodes

A new simple and direct electroanalytical method was developed for the determination of azidothymidine in commercial pharmaceutical preparations. It is based on differential pulse voltammetry at silver solid amalgam electrode with polished surface (p‐AgSAE) or surface modified by mercury meniscus (m‐AgSAE). The electroreduction of azidothymidine in basic media at these electrodes gives rise to one irreversible cathodic peak. Its potential in 0.05 mol L^?1 borate buffer, pH 9.3 at ca. ?1050 mV is comparable to that using hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). Achieved limits of quantitation are in the 10^?7 mol L^?1 concentration range for both amalgam electrodes. According to the procedure based on the standard addition technique, the recoveries of known amounts of azidothymidine contained in pharmaceutical preparations available in capsules were 101.4±1.8% (m‐AgSAE), 100.3±3.5% (p‐AgSAE) and 102.0±1.0% (HMDE) (n=10). There was no significant difference between the values gained by proposed voltammetric methods and the HPLC‐UV recommended by the United States Pharmacopoeia regarding the mean values and standard deviations.     

Catalytic Adsorptive Stripping Chronopotentiometric Determination of Hexavalent Chromium at a Silver Amalgam Film Electrode of Prolonged Application

The paper reports on the application of stripping chronopotentiometry for the determination of chromium(VI) at a silver‐based amalgam film electrode. It is the first attempt to apply such a detection system for the speciation of chromium. The procedure utilized catalytic reduction of nitrate ions induced by the instantaneous chromium(III)‐DTPA complex, accumulated at the electrode surface. The chronopotentiometric step is realized in the constant current mode. Several key parameters, such as the deposition potential, deposition time, nitrate concentration and stripping current were optimized. The detection limit obtained for 15 s of accumulation time was estimated at 0.025 µg/L. The repeatability of the signal was 6.1 %.     

Voltammetric Determination of Quercetin in Urine at Carbon Paste Electrode

Abstract

The electrochemical behavior of the quercetin (Q) at a carbon paste electrode (CPE) containing 15% paraffin oil is investigated. Square wave anodic stripping voltammetric (SWASV) was used to determine quercetin in the presence of 0.04 M phosphate buffer (pH ～4) containing 0.1 M KCl with 15 s accumulation time at 25±1°C. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the adsorbed form is oxidized irreversibly. The linear concentration ranged from 67.66 to 338.3 ppb quercetin. The detection limit of 6.77 ppb Q (r=0.9997), with 15 s accumulation time and the relative standard deviation of 0.45 (n=5) was calculated. The interferences of some metal ions and some amino acids were studied. The method was applied to the analysis of spiked urine, with recovery of 99.9±0.5, and the relative standard deviation of 3.2%. Results were compared with the reported methods.     

Voltammetric Determination of Trace Amounts of 2‐Methyl‐4,6‐Dinitrophenol at a Silver Solid Amalgam Electrode

The voltammetric behavior of 2‐methyl‐4,6‐dinitrophenol was investigated by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) at a nontoxic mercury meniscus‐modified silver solid amalgam electrode (m‐AgSAE). Conditions have been found for its determination by DPV at m‐AgSAE in the concentration range of 0.2 to 1 μmol L^?1.     

Voltammetric Determination of 4‐Nitrophenol Using a Novel Type of Silver Amalgam Paste Electrode

A differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) method was developed for the determination of 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP) at a newly developed silver amalgam paste electrode (AgA‐PE) in Britton–Robinson buffer pH 3.0. The electrode is based on a disposable plastic pipette tip filled with paste amalgam based on a mixture of mercury and fine silver powder (9 : 1, w/w). The experimental parameters, such as pH of Britton–Robinson buffer and activation and regeneration potential of the electrode surface were optimized. The reduction peak current dependences were linear for the concentration of 4‐NP from 0.2 to 100 μM. The method showed reproducible results with RSD (n=45) of 1.7%. The limit of determination (LOD) was 0.3 μM. The method was successfully applied for the direct determination of 4‐NP in drinking water.     

Highly Sensitive AdSV Method for Fe(III) Determination in Presence of Solochrome Violet RS on Renewable Amalgam Film Electrode

The new DP AdSV method for high sensitive Fe(III) determination in the presence of Solochrome Violet RS was developed. The use of an innovative renewable amalgam film electrode Hg(Ag)FE allowed to obtain high sensitivity and significantly minimize the mercury consumption. The best results were obtained for surface area of Hg(Ag)FE equal to 11.8 mm². Instrumental parameters were optimized. The optimal results were obtained using differential pulse technique for the following values: sampling and waiting time ts=tw=10 ms, step potential Es=5 mV, pulse amplitude ΔE=50 mV. Measurements were conducted in 0.05 M acetate buffer (pH 5.6), the concentration of SVRS was equal to 5 μM. Deposition step was carried out at the potential ?400 mV for 20 s. Calculated detection limit for 40 s preconcentration time was equal to 1.4 nM (78 ng L^?1). The influence of the common in environment, organic and inorganic interferences was studied. The developed method for Fe(III) determination was successfully applied and validated by investigation of certified reference material SPS‐SW2 Batch 118 and recovery of Fe(III) from various spiked samples as snow, tap water and bottom sediments. The repeatability (for 50 nM of Fe(III)) of the developed method expressed as CV was equal 3.1 % (n=5).     

Characterization and Use of Copper Solid Amalgam Electrode for Electroanalytical Determination of Triazines‐Based Herbicides

This paper reports the construction, characterization and use of copper solid amalgam electrode in the study of the electrochemical behavior of atrazine and ametryne herbicides by square‐wave voltammetry. This study was used as basis for the development of sensitive analytical methods for the determination of these herbicides in natural water, avoiding the use of mercury, by means of a solid electrode that presents high sensitivity and minimizes any environment contamination with mercury residues. The experimental and voltammetric conditions were evaluated and the results showed a reduction peak for atrazine at ?0.98 and at ?1.1 V vs. Ag/AgCl 3.0 mol L^?1 for ametryne, both with characteristic of an irreversible electrode reaction in an electrochemical diffusion controlled process, involving two electrons for each herbicide reduction. Based on voltammetric studies, it has been demonstrated that the most possible mechanism for the reduction of herbicides involved reduction of bond carbon‐chloride for atrazine and the reduction of bond carbon–SCH₃ for ametryne. The detection limit of herbicides obtained in pure water (laboratory samples) was shown to be lower than the maximum limit of residue established for natural water by the Brazilian Environmental Agency, demonstrating that this methodology is very suitable for determining any contamination by atrazine and ametryne residues in different samples, proving a good substitute for mercury electrodes.