Coulometric stripping potentiometry

The combination of a novel electrode design and a new experimental approach to coulometry permits the analysis of microliter amounts of samples without prior calibration. The technique has been applied to the determination of lead in whole blood standards. The time for one analysis is 4min and the relative precision approximately 5%. The mass detection limit for cadmium is 3 fmol, the lowest mass detection limit hitherto reported for any electroanalytical technique. The measurements are based on the principle of constant current stripping potentiometry. Amalgamated analytes are re‐oxidized by a Combination of an applied constant current and spontaneous chemical oxidation. Equations making it possible to apply Coulomb's law are presented.