A Novel Voltammetric Probe with Individually Addressable Gel-Integrated Microsensor Arrays for Real-Time High Spatial Resolution Concentration Profile Measurements

In this article, the development of a novel voltammetric system for real-time, high spatial resolution trace element concentration profile measurements at the sediment-water interface, or other interfaces, is reported. The heart of this system is a novel gel-integrated Hg-plated Ir-based 64 individually addressable microsensor arrays. The gel membrane minimizes fouling problems and insures high stability of the Hg semidrops. Measurements were performed simultaneously over the 64 lines using a powerful multiplexing system and a single potentiostat. The voltammetric probe and sensor have been described in detail. This voltammetric system has been characterized by running both cyclic voltammetry (CV) in hexacyanoferrate(III) solution using the gel-integrated Ir-based microsensor and square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) in Pb(II) and Cd(II) solution using the gel-integrated Hg-plated Ir-based microsensor. The results showed that reproducible and reliable simultaneous measurements can be obtained over the 64 individually addressable lines even with fast dynamic techniques such as SWASV. Moreover, theoretical and experimental data were in good agreement. Profiling capability has also been demonstrated.