Simple and rapid voltammetric determination of boron in water and steel samplesusing a pencil graphite electrode

Abstract

This paper presents a simple, rapid, and accurate voltammetric method for determination of boron in waterand steel samples using a disposable pencil graphite electrode. The oxidation of Tiron in the boron{Tiron complex inphosphate buffer at pH 7.5 was measured as a response. Type and concentration of supporting electrolyte, pH, ionicstrength, Tiron concentration, scan rate, step amplitude, pulse amplitude, and pencil grade were investigated as theparameters affecting the peak current. The limit of detection (3s) was estimated as 84 g/L. The relative standarddeviation of the method was 4.6 for 1 mg B/L (N = 7). The recovery results varied between 90% and 103% for watersamples and between 94% and 108% for steel samples. The results were compared with those obtained from the ICP-OESmethod and no statistically signi cant difference between the methods was found.