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Determination of Mercury by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry in Aqua Regia Extracts

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Summary:This work presents the optimization process of mercury determination by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV), using a glassy carbon modified with a gold film as working electrode, in samples extracted by aqua regia. The samples may contain Cu, Fe or Pb in high concentrations. In these conditions the usual Hg determination by ASV is almost impossible. The effects of the supporting electrolyte on the sensitivity of the method and chloride and nitrate ions concentration were studied. Supporting electrolyte was selected between: HCl, HNO3, HClO4 and CH3COOH. Our results show that the best sensibility is obtained with HClO4 0.10 M. High chloride concentration decreases the useful potential window and the peak current. However, small chloride additions are required to obtain high peak currents because chloride prevents Au film poisoning. Another interference studied was that of Cu and Fe. This kind of interference can be avoided if the sample in the electrochemical cell is exchanged for fresh electrolytic solution (HCl 0.01 M -HClO4 0.10 M) before the stripping step.
Main Authors:Sánchez,Juan
Other Authors:Castillo,Elianna; Corredor,Piedad; Ágreda,Jesús
Subject:mercury anodic stripping voltammetry ASV glassy carbon gold film electrode aqua regia
Year:2011
Country:Portugal
Document type:article
Access type:open access
Associated institution:Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia
Language:English
Origin:SciELO Portugal
Description
Summary:This work presents the optimization process of mercury determination by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV), using a glassy carbon modified with a gold film as working electrode, in samples extracted by aqua regia. The samples may contain Cu, Fe or Pb in high concentrations. In these conditions the usual Hg determination by ASV is almost impossible. The effects of the supporting electrolyte on the sensitivity of the method and chloride and nitrate ions concentration were studied. Supporting electrolyte was selected between: HCl, HNO3, HClO4 and CH3COOH. Our results show that the best sensibility is obtained with HClO4 0.10 M. High chloride concentration decreases the useful potential window and the peak current. However, small chloride additions are required to obtain high peak currents because chloride prevents Au film poisoning. Another interference studied was that of Cu and Fe. This kind of interference can be avoided if the sample in the electrochemical cell is exchanged for fresh electrolytic solution (HCl 0.01 M -HClO4 0.10 M) before the stripping step.

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