Subtractive differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry at a stationary mercury-coated glassy carbon electrode

The application of subtractive mode differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (SDPASV) at a stationary mercury-coated glassy carbon electrode for the analysis of labile Zn(II), Cd(II), Pb(II) and Cu(II) is described. It is shown that the method has an improved sensitivity to Cu(II) owing to elimination of high background currents normally encountered in normal mode DPASV at the TFME. The sensitivity limits of the present method to Cd(II) and Cu(II) is estimated to be 0.025 and 0.067 ppb respectively, when a 2 min deposition time is used. It is suggested that the high sensitivity of the method coupled to the relative simplicity of the stationary electrodes could make the method useful in environmental and natural water studies.