Electrochemical sensing of cadmium and lead ions at zeolite-modified electrodes: Optimization and field measurements

The scope for using a zeolite NH4-Y modified carbon paste electrode (ZYMCPE) in the voltammetric detection of Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions in ground water resources and industrial effluents is examined. The experimental conditions with respect to zeolite to graphite ratio in the electrode preparation, preconcentration time and electrolyte are optimized to maximize the sensitivity of the measurement. The detection limits are 1.0 μg L−1 for Cd2+ ion and 3.6 μg L−1 for Pb2+ ion. The excellent reproducibility of results obtained in the present study offers the possibility to develop commercial voltammetric sensors based on ZYMCPE for the two ions. The analytical results for two real samples (ground water and industrial effluent) agree very well with those obtained by atomic absorption spectroscopy.