The synthesis and characterization of thiol-based aryl diazonium modified glassy carbon electrode for the voltammetric determination of low levels of Hg(II)

Electrochemical determination of Hg(II) in aquatic solutions on bare and modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) is reported. Optimizing the parameters used for a bare GCE, such as the electrolyte solution, the potential and time of deposition, resulted in linear response over a large range of Hg(II) concentrations (4-160 ppb) using linear sweep anodic stripping voltammetry. Modification of the electrode with 4,4′-disulfanediyldibenzenediazonium (DSBD) yielded a lowest detection limit of 1 ppb. Two procedures for DSBD synthesis are described for the first time, and the product was characterized by microanalysis, FTIR and ¹H-NMR. The electrochemical attachment of DSBD to the electrode was studied and compared with the electrochemical behaviour of DSBD analogous molecules, i.e. 4-aminophenyl disulfide, p-aminothiophenol and phenyl disulfide.