Self-assembled monolayers of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole on gold: stripping voltammetric determination of Hg(II)

Monomolecular level modification of electrode surfaces through a self-assem bly approach is, of late, gaining importance in view of its many functional applications in areas such as molecular electronics, molecular recognition , electron transfer studies and electroanalysis. Self-assembled monolayer ( SAM) modification of a gold electrode with 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (MBI) ha s been achieved. On this modified electrode, anodic stripping voltammetric determination of mercury at ppm/sub-ppm level concentrations has been succe ssfully attempted. Pre-concentration, prior to stripping, has been effected through a non-electrolytic process involving chemical interactions between MBI and Hg(II). The results an described and discussed with a plausible sc heme. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.