Electroanalysis of trace inorganic arsenic with gold nanoelectrode ensembles

The results of a study on the determination of trace levels of arsenic with nanoelectrode ensembles (NEEs) are reported. In order to lower the detection limit and to increase the number of performable analysis for each NEE, the right choice of the supporting electrolyte concentration and electroanalytical parameters were optimized. The electrochemical behavior of As(III) at NEEs was studied at first by cyclic voltammetry, while trace concentrations of As(III) were determined by anodic stripping square wave voltammetry. The method is characterized by a detection limit as low as 5 ng/L (65 pM) after 3 min preconcentration at 0.4 V. Finally, NEEs were applied to trace As analysis in real samples such as certified seawater samples.