This paper describes a dedicated virtual instrumentation system constructed
for stripping voltammetry on a rotating disk electrode (RDE) covered with
a thin film of mercury. The experimental configuration consisted of a purpo
se-built potentiostat, a rotating disk electrode assembly and a peristaltic
pump. The sequence of operations (plating of the mercury film, preconcentr
ation of the analyte, potential scan and data acquisition, cleaning of the
electrode) was under full computer control. The software programme that was
selected for interfacing and control was LabVIEW 4.0. The system was confi
gured in such a way as to perform either single measurements, a series of c
onsecutive measurements (i.e., standard additions) or even multi-scan exper
iments. The analytical utility of the apparatus was assessed for the determ
ination of Cu(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV)
and for the detection of Co(II) by multi-scan adsorptive cathodic stripping
voltammetry (AdCSV).