Mercury-free disposable lead sensors based on potentiometric stripping analysis at gold-coated screen-printed electrodes.

Gold-coated screen-printed electrodes offer reliable quantitation of trace lead in connection with potentiometric stripping analysis (PSA). Such replacement of mercury-based sensors, with gold-coated ones, avoids environmental contamination associated with the disposal of mercury electrodes in connection with large-scale screening for lead poisoning. The PSA operation obviates the need for oxygen removal, offers low background contributions, and minimizes surfactant interferences. Changes in the peak intensity and position (vs mercury-coated strips) offer new selectivity dimensions. Various experimental parameters are optimized to allow convenient monitoring of micrograms per liter lead concentrations following short deposition periods. Applicability to urine and drinking water samples is illustrated. The highly stable response of these screen-printed electrodes makes them very attractive for both single-use and multiple applications.