Determination of trace amounts of zinc, lead and copper in sugar cane spirits by anodic stripping voltammetry

Abstract

Anodic stripping voltammetry with a hanging mercury drop electrode was used for the determination of trace amounts of Zn, Pb and Cu in sugar cane spirit from different sources: commercial, oak-cask matured and home-made. The measurements were made directly on the samples, without previous treatment and in the absence of a supporting electrolyte. After electrodeposition, linear-sweep voltammetry, with low scan rates, was used for current measurements. The procedure allowed the determination of metal ions in the µg l–1 concentration range and the method was compared with atomic absorption spectrometry.