Response surface methodology for optimisation of 4,6-Dinitro-o-cresol quantification using hanging mercury drop electrode

A method for the pesticide DNOC (4,6-Dinitro-o-cresol) quantification using hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) and stripping square wave voltammetry (SSWV) optimisation is proposed. As a continuous cathodic current decrease was observed during the experiments, a waiting time, together with solution pH and SWV instrumental variables were optimised by factorial designs. From the two reduction current peaks values, only one was considered as dependent variable in the optimisation process. While the cathodic current peak and standard deviation were used in the waiting time and solution pH optimisation process, the instrumental parameters for SWV were optimised by using only current peak values. With the optimal parameters, a calibration curve from (0.01–0.55) × 10^?6 mol L^?1 with LOD of 2 × 10^?8 mol L^?1 was obtained. The proposed method was checked for DNOC quantification in different water samples obtained from Cordoba area and very good results, with recovery values around 102% were observed.