Danielle

Price
Stripping
Voltammetry
1.) Explain the general principles of stripping voltammetry.
-Voltammetry uses a solid electrode to determine the half-cell reactivity of an
analyte by measuring the current as the potential is varied. Its based on the
reduction of ions or molecules and can be used in a variety of applications
such as quantitative/qualitative analysis and determining the number of
electrons involved in an electrochemical reaction.
2.) What is the composition of a typical solution employed in stripping
voltammetry and what is the role of each component in the solution?
- Stripping voltammetry uses a solution with low concentrations of the
analyte, a supporting electrolyte, and mercuric ions. The supporting
electrolyte carries the current through the solution and this makes the
analyte move by diffusion. The mercuric ions form a thin layer of mercury on
the electrode and oxygen is removed by bubbling nitrogen gas through the
solution.
3.) Estimate the surface area of the glassy carbon electrode and then calculate
the thickness of the Hg layer formed during the initial plating out part of
the experiment (assume the density of Hg is 13.546 g/cm3 ).
4.) Construct calibration curves for each of the elements by plotting both area
and peak height vs. concentration. Fit linear regression lines to each data set
and determine the slope, intercept and correlation coefficient.
5.) Do the peak heights or peak areas give a better fit to a straight line?
6.) Using your calibration curves, calculate the concentration of Pb2+, Cd2+, and
Cu2+ in the tap water. Remember that only 1 mL of tap water was analyzed
so take this into account when determining the metal concentrations. Give an
estimate of what you think the error in these concentrations would be?
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7.) Part of the table of National Primary Drinking Water Regulations is shown
below. In light of your answers to question 6, do you feel safe drinking MSU
tap water?