Sensitive quantification of iodide by ion-exchange chromatography with electrochemical detection at a modified platinum electrode

A rapid and very sensitive method for the accurate determination of free iodide in real samples is described. The method is based on anion-exchange chromatographic separation coupled with amperometric detection at a modified platinum electrode under constant applied potential (+0.85 V vs. Ag AgCl). An experimental setup with an in-line and very effective method of electrode modification is proposed using an amperometric thin-layer cross-flow detector and a flowing solution 300 mg/L of iodide; the working electrode is polarised to the limiting current for oxidation of iodide to iodine in acidic solutions with the consequent formation of an iodine-based film. The results indicated that the modified electrode exhibits high analytical response for iodide electrooxidation with good stability and long-life. The signal intensity of daily experimental sessions (8 h), during which standards and real samples were repeatedly injected, exhibits a moderate lowering (i.e. <6%). Using a mixture of 25 mM HNO3 and 50 mM NaNO3 as an eluent phase in ion-exchange chromatography, the detection limit of iodide was estimated to be 0.5 ug/L (S/N=3) with an injection volume of 50 uL. This method was applied successfully to quantify the iodide content of milk samples and in wastewaters as well as trace amounts in common vegetables and solutions containing high chloride levels.