Microwave activation of electrochemical processes: Square-wave voltammetric stripping detection of cadmium in the presence of the surfactant triton X

A novel electrochemical cell based on a flow through system in a microwave cavity is shown to allow voltammetric experiments under microwave condition s. Focusing of the microwave radiation at the electrode-solution (electroly te) interface creates conditions of extreme localized heating with an inver ted thermal gradient within the diffusion layer of the electrode and convec tive flow. The deposition and anodic stripping detection by square-wave vol tammetry of Cd2+ in a 0.1 M acetate buffer solution is shown to he strongly enhanced by microwave activation. The temperature at the electrode-solutio n interface is calibrated with the reversible redox couple Ru(NH3)(6)(3-/2) in 0.1 M acetate buffer. The effect of microwave activation on the square -wave voltammetry responses for the reduction of Ru(NH3)(6)(3+) and for the detection of Cd2+ in 0.1 M acetate buffer solution are studied. In the pre sence of a nonionic surfactant, Triton X-100, which blocks the electrochemi cal Cd2+ response under conventional conditions. microwave activation is sh own to have a considerable effect in enhancing the sensitivity for Cd2+ det ection.