Bismuth Film Voltammetric Sensor on Pyrolyzed Photoresist/Alumina Support for Determination of Heavy Metals

Voltammetric sensors based on bismuth film electrodes are an attractive alternative to other sensors for application in electroanalysis of heavy metals. Bismuth film electrodes can be formed by a similar method on the same substrates as mercury. These systems were used most frequently for simultaneous determination of heavy metals such as Pb, Cd and Zn by anodic stripping voltammetry. Our voltammetric sensor was fabricated on an alumina substrate. A photoresist film prepared by pyrolysis of positive photoresist S-1813 SP15 on the alumina substrate was used as an electrode support for bismuth film deposition. The influence of the Nafion membrane on the measurement sensitivity of the sensor and mechanical stability of the bismuth film were investigated. The sensor was successfully applied for determination of Pb, Cd and Zn in an aqueous solution in the concentration range of 0.2 to 10 mu gL(-1) by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry on an in-situ formed bismuth film electrode with Nafion-coating. Parameters of the sensor such as sensitivity, linearity, detection limit, repeatability and life-time were evaluated. In the best case, the detection limits were estimated as 0.07, 0.11 and 0.63 mu gL(-1) for Pb, Cd and Zn, respectively. Finally, the applicability of the sensor was tested in analysis of Pb, Cd and Zn in real samples of tap and river water using the method of standard additions.