Evaluation and improvement of the resolution of voltammetric measurements

Two approaches for estimating and improving resolution in chromatography analyses can be applied successfully to voltammetric measurements. It is shown that the resolution of voltammetric procedures yielding symmetric (or nearly symmetric) current peaks can be described by R = 2DeltaE (p)1.699 (b(1,2,1) + b(1,2,1)) where DeltaE(p) is the difference between the peak potentials of the two analytes, and b(1,2,1) and b(1,2,2) are the peak half-widths. The window diagram approach is used to improve the resolution between neighbouring voltammetric peaks by optimization of the supporting electrolyte composition. The applicability of these approaches to differential-pulse anodic-stripping measurements at the mercury film electrode is demonstrated.