Electrochemical characterization and analytical application of arsenopyrite mineral in non-aqueous solutions by voltammetry and potentiometry

Abstract

Based on the cyclic voltammetric method, in the present study we have employed carbon paste for arsenopyrite mineral characterization in non-aqueous solution. Arsenopyrite yields well-defined cyclic voltammetric responses with well-defined oxidation (in the potential region from -0.7 to 0.7 V, versus Ag/AgCl) and reduction (from -1.0 to 0.8 V) peaks using this electrode. In addition, arsenopyrite mineral was studied as a new indicator electrode for the potentiometric titrations of acids (benzoic, anthranilic and salicylic acids) and bases (N,N′-diphenylguanidine, tributylamine and collidine) in acetonitrile and propionitrile. Potassium hydroxide, tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAH) and perchloric acid proved to be very suitable titrating agents for these titrations. The investigated electrode showed a linear dynamic response for p-toluenesulfonic acid concentrations in the range 0.1-0.001 M, with a Nernstian slope of 38.5 mV in acetonitrile and 44.6 mV in propionitrile. The electrode showed a relatively fast response time and can be used without any time limit or without considerable divergence in potentials. The response time of the electrode was less than 10 s in both solvents. The standard deviation of the determination of the investigated acids and bases was less than 0.6% from those obtained with a glass electrode. The advantages of the electrodes are long-term stability, fast response and reproducibility, while the sensors are easy to prepare and are of low cost. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.