Electroanalytical determination of cadmium(II) and lead(II) using an in-situ bismuth film modified edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode

A highly sensitive and simple electroanalytical methodology is presented using an in-situ bismuth film modified edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode (BiF-EPPGE) which is exemplified with the simultaneous determination of cadmium(II) and lead(II). Square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry is utilised with the effects of several experimental variables studied. Simultaneous additions of cadmium(II) and lead(II) were investigated where two linear ranges between 0.1 - 100 and 0.1 - 300 mu g/L and also detection limits of 0.062 and 0.084 mu g/L were obtained, respectively. The method was then successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of cadmium(II) and lead(II) in spiked river water, where recoveries of 100.5 and 98% were obtained, respectively. This electroanalytical protocol using edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes is one of the simplest methodologies to date using non-mercury based electrodes and is simpler and cheaper than alternatives such as carbon nanotube electrode arrays, suggesting the use of edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode for routine sensing.