Carbon paste electrode for trace zirconium(IV) determination by adsorption voltammetry.

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Accurate trace measurement of zirconium is crucial in geological and environmental analysis.
• Existing methods for zirconium detection may lack sensitivity or selectivity.
• Development of novel electrochemical techniques is needed for improved trace analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a highly sensitive and selective method for trace zirconium determination.
• To utilize cathodic adsorptive stripping voltammetry (CASV) with a carbon paste electrode (CPE).
• To investigate the electrochemical behavior of the zirconium-alizarin red S (ARS) complex.

Main Methods:

• Developed a CASV procedure using a carbon paste electrode (CPE).
• Recorded 2nd-order derivative linear scan voltammograms of the zirconium-ARS complex.
• Optimized analytical conditions including buffer pH, ARS concentration, accumulation potential, and time.

Main Results:

• The zirconium-ARS complex adsorbed onto the CPE surface, producing a reduction peak at -0.51 V.
• Achieved a low detection limit of 1.0 x 10(-10) mol l(-1) (S/N = 3) with 240 s accumulation.
• Established a linear range from 2.0 x 10(-10) to 4.0 x 10(-7) mol l(-1).

Conclusions:

• The developed CASV method is sensitive and selective for trace zirconium measurement.
• The method demonstrated satisfactory performance for determining zirconium in ore samples.
• This technique offers a viable approach for trace zirconium analysis in complex matrices.