The design of multi-parameter detection platform of drinking water based on two-electrode voltammetry

A novel detection and analysis platform which is based on two-electrode electrochemical voltammetry system has been developed for multi-parameter measurement of drinking water. There are three unit in this platform, multi-sensor unit, hardware system unit and control and processing software unit. After choosing detection objects on computer, the control and processing software unit can control the hardware system unit apply corresponding potential on appropriate working electrode automatically. Currents can be collected on counter electrode and sent to computer for data processing. The multi-sensor unit contains Ag, Pt, Au, etc. noble metal electrodes as working electrodes and a large area ringlike stainless steel was as counter electrode. Comparing with conventional three-electrode voltammetry system, reference electrode has been eliminated in this platform by mechanical improvement of sensor array. This platform has been employed on detection of two common parameters in drinking water, electric conductivity (EC) and concentrations of heavy metal ions. In EC measurement, bipolar pulse with high frequency has been applied on Pt working electrode. In heavy metal ion of lead detection, staircase wave stripping voltammetry was applied on Ag working electrode. This detection platform owns high mechanical strength sensor, low maintenance requirements and easy to use, it could be used for drinking water quality monitoring in laboratory or industry locale.