Phase-selective a.c. adsorptive stripping voltammetry of lumazine on a hanging mercury drop electrode

The electrochemical behavior of lumazine (LMZ), an important antibacterial agent, has been studied at the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). The nature of the process taking place at the HMDE was clarified. Its adsorption behavior at HMDE has been studied by using a.c and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Both the molecule and its reduced product appeared to be adsorbed at the surface of the electrode. Controlled adsorptive accumulation of LMZ on the HMDE provides the basis for the direct stripping measurement of that compound in the subnanomolar concentration level. Experimental and instrumental parameters for the quantitative determination were optimized. Phase-selective a.c voltammetry provided the best signal and gave a detection limit of 0.15 microg L(-1) (9.0 x 10(-10) mol/L) LMZ in aqueous solution. Molecules or ions which may interfere were studied.