Simultaneous Detection of Trace Cadmium(II) and Lead(II) Using an Unmodified Edge Plane Pyrolytic Graphite Electrode

We report the sensitive simultaneous detection of cadmium(II) and lead(II) using an unmodified edge plane pyrolytic graphite (EPPG) electrode via linear sweep anodic stripping voltammetry (LSASV). Simultaneous additions of the heavy metals gave two well separated stripping peaks observed over two linear ranges, 20 to 200 mu g L-1 and 2 to 20 mu g L-1. These gave detection limits of 0.3 mu g L-1 and 0.2 mu g L-1 for cadmium(II) and lead(II), respectively. The use of unmodified EPPG electrodes shows comparable performance to bismuth and mercury modified electrodes, and offers a simple and effective alternative to modified systems.