MERCURY THREAD ELECTRODE MODIFIED WITH A HYDROPHILIC DIALYSIS POLYMER

A novel mercury electrode, termed the mercury thread electrode (MTE), modified with a hydrophilic dialysis;polymer is introduced. The electrode consists of a minimum amount of pure mercury contained in a short dialysis tube with a very thin wall. Renewal of mercury, continuously or as needed, can conveniently be performed during use. Preliminary cyclic voltammetry data on Pb(II) exhibit reversible electrochemistry with diffusion-controlled mass transport. Anodic stripping voltammetry of aqueous Pb(II) is linear in the 20-118 ppb range. A plating time of only 10 s gave noise-free peak current at these concentrations.