Review—Ion Interference and Elimination in Electrochemical Detection of Heavy Metals Using Anodic Stripping Voltammetry

Abstract

Anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) is a widely used electrochemical analysis method in rapid detection of heavy metals. But the interference in complex samples will influence the accuracy and sensitivity of electrochemical detection, which further limits ASV on-site application. In this article, main ion interferences, interference mechanisms and available elimination measures in ASV detection of heavy metals are analyzed and summarized. Metal ions, the main disturbances, generally interfere with detection by competing active sites, forming intermetallic compounds or coating on electrode surface. Elimination methods include adding masking agents, adjusting electrolyte composition, changing deposition potentials and using modified electrode. More researches about ion interference appear in electrochemical detection method, the effect verification of electrode materials and adding test rather than actual detection. Furthermore, reliable solution of the interferences in simultaneous detection of multiple components will be the direction of future in-depth research.