Cyclic and stripping voltammetry of tin at mercury hanging drop and film electrodes in acidic o-diphenol media in the presence of lead and cadmium

Abstract

The influence of catechol, gallic acid and tiron on the voltammetric behaviour of tin(IV) in the presence of lead(II) and cadmium(II) was investigated at hanging drop and mercury film electrodes in perchloric acid, oxalic acid and formate supporting electrolytes. Under cyclic conditions, well separated peaks of tin, lead and cadmium are obtained in oxalic acid and formate solutions containing gallic acid or catechol; tiron suppresses the tin peaks significantly. The efficiency of the deposition of tin in the presence of catechol or gallic acid is less than that of lead, particularly at long deposition time. The best separation of the stripping peaks of tin, lead and cadmium is obtained in oxalic acid solution containing gallic acid or catechol. In perchloric acid solution containing gallic acid or catechol the second peak corresponding to tin oxidation is useful for determinations of tin in the presence of lead. Tin(IV) at the 10 -8 mol l -1 level can be detemined in various salt solutions and in water samples in the presence of five-fold amounts of lead and cadmium.