Stripping analysis at bismuth electrodes: A review

For many years mercury electrodes were the transducer of choice in stripping voltammetry of trace metals owing to their high sensitivity, reproducibility, and renewability. However, because of the toxicity of mercury, alternative ('environmentally friendly') electrode materials are highly desired for both centralized and field applications. Recently introduced bismuth electrodes offer a very attractive alternative to commonly used mercury electrodes. Such electrodes display well-defined, undistorted and highly reproducible response, favorable resolution of neighboring peaks, high hydrogen evolution, with good signal-to-background characteristics comparable to those of common mercury electrodes. The attractive stripping behavior of bismuth electrodes reflects the ability of bismuth to form 'fused' multicomponent alloys with heavy metals. Bismuth stripping electrodes thus hold great promise for decentralized metal testing, with applications ranging from continuous remote sensing to single-use measurements. Fundamental studies aimed at understanding the behavior of bismuth film electrodes should lead to rational preparation and operation of reliable alternative ('non-mercury') stripping electrodes that would have a major impact upon electroanalysis of trace metals. This article reviews the development, behavior, scope and prospects of bismuth electrodes for stripping-based electrochemical measurements of trace metals.