Enhanced electrochemical detection of nitrite and nitrate at a Cu-30Ni alloy electrode

Significant catalytic activity towards the reduction of nitrite at unmodifi ed Cu - 30% Ni alloy electrodes was found within the concentration ranges 1 6 - 200 muM nitrite. The reduction of nitrite was found to occur at potenti als significantly less negative than the reduction of nitrate thereby provi ding clear resolution and the possibility of reliable nitrite/nitrate speci ation. The results are contrasted with those found at a bare copper electro de where the spatial resolution of the nitrate and nitrite reduction proces ses is severely limited with significant overlap of the reduction processes . The procedure represents an inexpensive and facile method far nitrite det ermination in a number of applications.