Composite PEDOT/Au Nanoparticles Modified Electrodes for Determination of Mercury at Trace Levels by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry

Electrode modifications consisting of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), including gold nanoparticles according to simple though innovative procedure, are developed. The resulting nanocomposite shows interesting performances as electrode material for determination of mercury by anodic stripping technique, even down to concentration levels as low as 0.83 ng/mL. The analytical performance is evaluated by optimized experimental parameters such as the charge spent during the potentiostatic electrodeposition of PEDOT, the preconcentration time, and the waveform parameters for the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) redissolution scan. No evidence of significant oxidative degradation of the polymer over repeated analysis cycles is evidenced.