Bismuth film electrodes for adsorptive stripping voltammetry of trace nickel

Bismuth film electrodes are shown to be very attractive alternatives to common mercury electrodes used for adsorptive stripping voltammetric measurements of trace nickel in the presence of the dimethylglyoxime complexing agent. Variables affecting the response have been assessed and optimized. Such optimization resulted in a favorable and highly stable stripping response, with good linearity (up to 80 mu g L-1) and precision (RSD = 1.8%), and a low detection limit (0.8 mu g L-1 with 180 s adsorption). The adsorptive stripping performance makes the bismuth film electrode very attractive for measurements of trace metals that cannot be plated electrolytically, and should address possible restrictions on the use of mercury electrodes. (C) 2000 Elsevier science S.A All rights reserved.