Differential pulse voltammetric determination of P(V) following adsorptive accumulation of α-[PMo12O40]3− on a polypyrrole-modified glassy carbon electrode

On the basis of the formation and pre-concentration of an α-Keggin-type [PMo12O40]3− complex, a novel voltammetric method was developed for the determination of trace levels of P(V). The α-[PMo12O40]3− complex was formed by heating a 5×10−4 M Mo(VI)–0.2 M HCl–40% (v/v) CH3CN system containing a trace amount of P(V) at 70 °C for 30 min. During the electrochemical polymerization of pyrrole in the α-[PMo12O40]3− solution, the α-[PMo12O40]3− complex was accumulated into the polypyrrole film on a glassy carbon electrode. The differential pulse voltammetric peak current due to the α-[PMo12O40]3− complex incorporated in the polypyrrole film was linearly dependent on the P(V) concentration in the range of 5×10−9–5×10−7 M; a detection limit of 2×10−9 M was achieved.