Development of a sequential injection analysis device and its application for the determination of Mn(II) in water

Abstract

A sequential injection analysis device has been developed and applied for the automated determination of Mn(II) in environmental water samples. Differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry is selected as the electrochemical detection method. The device consists of several electronic equipment. The electrochemical flow cell was designed for replacing the traditional three-electrode system and introducing high reproducibility. An electrochemical analyzer saddled with laboratory-programmed software written by Embarcadero Delphi 10.2. For higher current response, various determination parameters such as the flow rate, the medium pH, the deposition potential and the thickness of gasket in the electrochemical flow cell have been optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the detection limit (3σ/slope) of 0.63 μg L−1 and a calibration curve (R2 = 0.9987) of current response and Mn(II) concentration from 2.5 μg L−1 to 200 μg L−1 could be achieved. The device was successfully applied to the determination of trace Mn(II) in environmental water samples, and in continuous real-time monitoring of Mn(II) variations in tap water for 14 days. The results are consistent with the reference method and the average recovery is found to be 95.2%–101.4%. The device shows high sensitivity and reproducibility in the determination of Mn(II), and presents a great potential for on-site and real-time detection of metal ions where rapid, low-cost and low-volume analysis is required.