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.