Stripping Voltammetric Determination of Tellurium Using Bare Indium Tin Oxide Working Electrode

Abstract

Over the past century, human activities have contributed to the widespread rise in tellurium contamination in the environment and water bodies. Certain forms of tellurium are toxic, and exposure to these forms can have adverse health effects. To address this issue, an electrochemical sensor was developed using a bare indium tin oxide (ITO) working electrode and square wave stripping voltammetry for the detection and quantification of Te(IV) ions. For Te(IV) detection, a deposition potential of −0.9 V was applied to the working electrode for 180 s. Calibration curves of peak current and peak area versus Te(IV) concentration were constructed in acetate buffer at pH 4.50. The electrochemical sensor achieved a detection limit of 0.5 ppb, comparable to other studies with different working electrodes. Interference studies were conducted to investigate the impact of other metal ions on the quantifiable stripping peak of Te(IV).