MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATION AT THE [NIFE(CN)6]2-/- DERIVATIZED NICKEL ELECTRODE - A TECHNIQUE FOR THE EVALUATION OF ALKALI CATION CONTAINING SOLUTIONS

Sensitive and analytically useful detection of alkali cations is possible by cyclic voltammetry using a [NIFe(CN)6]2-/- derivatized nickel working electrode. The mechanism of detection is based on microstructure variations in the[NIFe(CN)6]2-/- lattice. As such this derivatized electrode system represents a new mechanism of electrochemical detection, allowing for the voltammetric detection of species which are not electroactive. Thus, the indicated approach is novel in that it provides a mechanism for identifying different alkali cations by cyclic voltammetry. The capabilities of this system are illustrated by using electrolytes containing sodium and cesium cations. For this case it is found that as little as 10-8 M CsNO3 can be analytically detected in the presence of 1 M NaNO3.