Determination of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ on glassy carbon electrode modified by electrochemical reduction of aromatic diazonium salts

Carbon modified by the reduction of aromatic diazonium derivatives was first used as electrode for the electrochemical stripping analysis of heavy metals. As a model, the glassy carbon electrode was modified with benzoic acid by electrochemical reduction of diazobenzoic acid, and the resulting modified electrodes were used for determination of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺. The anodic peak currents of cadmium and lead at the benzoic acid-modified glassy carbon electrode are 7.2 and 6 times of that at the bare glassy carbon electrode. A linear response was observed for Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ in the range of 0.5-50 μg/l. The detection limits are 0.20 μg/l for Pb²⁺ and 0.13 μg/l for Cd²⁺. The relative standard deviations for six consecutive measurements of 50 μg/l Cd²⁺ and 50 μg/l Pb²⁺ are 0.82% and 3.02%, respectively. Applicability of the sensor to the determination of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ in sewerage samples was demonstrated.