Simultaneous determination of iron and copper using screen-printed carbon electrodes by adsorptive stripping voltammetry with o-phenanthroline

The simultaneous voltammetric determination of iron and copper was accomplished by an unmodified screen printed carbon electrode based on the complexation with o-phenanthroline assisted by the reducing agent ferrocyanide. The detection limits were 3.74 and 0.34 mu g L-1 for iron and copper, respectively, and a linear response was observed from 12.5 to 400 mu g L-1 for iron and from 1.14 to 400 mu g L-1 for copper. This method successfully avoids interferences between iron and copper while allowing the simultaneous determination of both low and high metal concentrations usually found in the environment. Finally, a certified wastewater reference material was successfully analyzed, confirming the precision and accuracy of the proposed method.

Automated summary

The simultaneous determination of iron and copper using an unmodified screen printed carbon electrode and the complexation with o-phenanthroline assisted by the reducing agent ferrocyanide was successfully achieved. This method has low detection limits and a wide linear response range, allowing for the avoidance of interference between iron and copper and the simultaneous determination of low and high metal concentrations typically found in the environment. Analysis of a certified wastewater reference material confirmed the precision and accuracy of the proposed method.