Differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetric determination of Hg2+ at poly(Eriochrome Black T)-modified carbon paste electrode

The electrochemical behavior of Hg²⁺ was investigated in poly(Eriochrome Black T)-modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) using cyclic voltammetry (CV). Poly(Eriochrome Black T) was prepared in an alkaline medium on the surface of the CPE using a solution of Eriochrome Black T with the CV technique. The electrochemical impedance study revealed a better charge transfer kinetics at the modified electrode. The effects of variation of the experimental conditions, such as the concentration of electrolytes, pH, deposition time, and the deposition potential, which maximize current efficiency were studied. The optimum response of Hg²⁺ was observed in 1.0 M KCl solution. The differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetric technique was employed successfully to detect Hg²⁺, which gave a good linear response at low concentration levels of Hg²⁺. The detection limit was found to be 2.2?×?10^?10 M (S/N?=?3), which is comparable with that achieved in multiwall carbon nanotube-modified electrode. The remarkable electroanalytical performance of the modified electrode makes it amenable to employ it successfully as an electrochemical sensor for the determination of hazardous pollutant Hg²⁺ in environmental samples.