Anodic Stripping Voltammetric Determination of Mercury in Water Using a Chitosan‐Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

Abstract

This paper describes the preparation and electrochemical application of a modified carbon paste electrode with chitosan for the determination of Hg(II) ions in water using anodic stripping voltammetry. Experimental parameters, including the pH of the supporting electrolyte, time and potential of accumulation and scan rate were investigated. The best voltammetric response was observed for a paste composition of 60% (m/m) of graphite powder, 20% (m/m) of chitosan and 20% (m/m) of mineral oil, with 0.1 mol/l NaNO₃ solution at pH 6.3 as supporting electrolyte, a preconcentration potential of −0.2 V, preconcentration time of 270 s and a scan rate of 25 mV/s. Under these optimal experimental conditions, the voltammetric signals were linearly dependent on the Hg(II) concentration in the range of 9.99×10⁻⁷ to 3.85×10⁻⁵  mol/l with a detection limit of 6.28×10⁻⁷ mol/l. Three “spiked” samples of water were evaluated using the proposed sensor, and results agreed with those obtained by a reference method at the 95% confidence level.

Keywords:

• Hg(II)
• chitosan
• stripping voltammetry
• modified carbon paste electrode