Development simple and sensitive voltammetric procedure for ultra-trace determination of U(VI)

A simple and sensitive adsorptive stripping voltammetric procedure for the determination of trace concentration of U(VI) in natural water samples was developed. In order to remove surface active compounds from water sample solutions, a TiO2/Al2O3 photocatalysis system was applied. The linear calibration graph of U(VI) in the simultaneous presence of 2mgL−1 anionic, cationic and nonionic surfactants, in the range from 5×10−10 to 2×10−8molL−1 (180s) was achieved. The detection limit obtained in the solution after the use of UV-irradiation (10min) with TiO2/Al2O3 photocatalyst (0.9g) is equal to 2.3×10−10mol L−1. The presented procedure was successfully applied to uranium determination in SLEW-3 certified reference material, and to river water samples. In addition, a very low detection limit (2.9×10–11molL−1) for accumulation time of 180s was achieved due to application of a reversible deposited mediator (Zn) in the step of lead film electrode preparation. [Display omitted] •A new application of TiO2/Al2O3 photocatalysis system.•Determination of trace concentrations of U(VI) in natural water samples.•The use of zinc mediator in the lead film electrode preparation step.