Square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry with a mercury-plated reticulated vitreous carbon electrode

A rotating mercury-plated reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) electrode is tested for square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry; RVC provides very large surface areas which are easily plated with mercury. Despite the ill-defined geometry of the electrode, the square-wave stripping peaks are very well defined; their behaviour conforms partly to known theory for square-wave stripping from mercury film electrodes. Fast analytical determinations of lead and cadmium in the μg l^?1 range are facilitated by the high efficiency of the preconcentration step and the high sensitivity given by the stripping waveform.