Disposable screen-printed electrodes with in-built bismuth precursors for lead(II) determination by anodic stripping voltammetry

Abstract

The utility of disposable screen-printed electrodes modified with three bismuth-precursor compounds (bismuth titanate, bismuth oxide and bismuth aluminate) was assesed for the determination of Pb(II) by anodic stripping voltammetry. It was found that, in principle, both bismuth oxide and bismuth aluminate could be sucessfully used as bismuth precursors but the latter yielded higher sensitivity for the detection of Pb(II). The instrumental parametrs for Pb(II) determination (deposition time and potential and stripping waveform mode) were investigated and the effect of different co-existing metals was studied. Using the selected conditions, the limit of detection for Pb(II) was 0.6 μg l−1 and the % relative standard deviation at the 20 μg l−1 level was 5.2 % (n=8). The sensors were succcesfully utilised for the determination of Pb(II) in tap-water.