Lithographically fabricated iridium-based mercury microelectrode arrays are
shown to be very suitable for adsorptive stripping measurements of trace n
ickel in the presence of the dimethylgloxime complexing agent. Variables af
fecting the response have been assessed and optimized. The sensor optimizat
ion has resulted in a favorable and highly stable response, with good linea
rity and precision (RSD = 1.7 %), and a low detection limit (0.5 mu g/L wit
h 30s adsorption). Such adsorptive shipping performance makes the iridium-b
ased microelectrode array very attractive for on-site measurements of trace
metals that cannot be plated electrolytically.