Electrochemical Methods Integrated with Spectral Technology for Detection of PTS

Electrochemical assisted preconcentration has been utilized as a practical enrichment method to separate the trace heavy metal ions (HMIs) from aqueous solution with complex interfering matrix components for the improvement of sensitivity and selectivity. This chapter discusses the electrochemical preconcentration process of target HMIs in samples. It reviews the combination of the electrochemical enrichment methods with several spectral methods, which are available for the determination of trace HMIs. The chapter provides some examples to provide a broad spectrum of the applications, operational advantages, and the major contribution to the improvement of the spectral analysis performance. The techniques used most commonly for the detection of HMIs at the ppb level are traditional spectrometry methods, which include inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Besides, several new spectrometry methods such as X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) are also developed for detecting HMIs at the ppm-level.