Electrochemical sensor for thiourea focused on metallurgical applications of copper

I. PEDRE, L. MÉNDEZ DE LEO, M. G. SÁNCHEZ-LOREDO, F. BATTAGLINI*, G. A. GONZÁLEZ *

SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL

ELSEVIER SCIENCE SA

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2016 vol. 232 p. 383 - 389

0925-4005

Abstract: A simple and reliable device is presented for the direct monitoring  of thiourea in copper electrorefinery baths as a tool for reconditioning of industrial baths, and so reducing its environmental impact. For this purpose, a screen-printed graphite electrode is modified with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) contained in a polyelectrolyte-surfactant matrix. The AgNPs are able to adsorb the thiourea, improving the sensitivity of the electrode toward this analyte, even in the presence of usual additives (Avitone® and glue). The system allows the determination of  thiourea in a range of 1 to 10 mg/l. A coupled electrochemical and IR analysis is proposed to evaluate the involved mechanism.