Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/L36413/01
Title:	ULTRASONICALLY ENHANCED METHODS FOR ELECTROANALYSIS
Principal Investigator:	Compton, Professor R
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department:	Oxford Chemistry
Organisation:	University of Oxford
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 January 1997	Ends:	30 June 1999	Value (£):	106,995
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Analytical Science
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
The project will design a small volume cell for sonoelectroanalysis and exploit this in conjunction with the mercury sonotrodes to establish Anodic and Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry procedures for trace metal ions and trace organic molecules. In view of the sonotrode mass transport characteristics the sensitivity of both techniques should be greatly extended, as would be assessed using well-defined systems such as Pb2+ (trace metal) and digoxin (cardiac drug). Optimal procedures for generating the mercury electrodes would be identified and analytical protocols for the two model systems developed. We will examine the performance of the sonotrodes in (synthetic) effluents where typically measurements with solid electrodes are precluded by adsorption effects, film formation or fouling. The known ability of ultrasound to activate electrodes, by stripping or eroding their surfaces, should permit electroanalysis in hitherto difficult media. We note that the applicability of solid electrodes in the analysis of blood plasma has been limited for similar reasons and might also benefit from sonoelectroanalysis. We propose to develop a direct method for the field determination of lead in suspensions of paint dust, soil etc using the sonotrode approach. The ultrasound would facilitate both the extraction of the Pb2+ and the subsequent electroanalysis resulting in a simpler, more sensitive and more efficient single step procedure than the sequential approach presently employed.
Key Findings
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Potential use in non-academic contexts
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Impacts
Description This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk Summary Date Materialised
Sectors submitted by the Researcher
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Project URL:
Further Information:
Organisation Website:	http://www.ox.ac.uk