M(II) transfer across a liquid-liquid microinterface facilitated by a complex formation with 8-Hydroxyquinoline: Application to quantification of Pb(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II) alone or in mixture in effluents

Abstract For the first time, the assisted transfer of Pb(II) across a water/1,2-Dichloroethane (DCE) microinterface was investigated in the presence of 8-Hydroxyquinoline (named also oxine or 8-HQ) in the organic phase. A monocharged complex was formed in the aqueous phase and then transferred in the organic phase. A good relationship was obtained between currents and Pb(II) concentrations in the 10 −4 to 5 10 −3  M range and 10 −5 to 6 10 −5  M range using cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry respectively. In presence of other heavy metals such as Cd(II) and Zn(II), only one electrochemical process is observed regardless of the mixture. Moreover, stationary currents increase in direct linear relation with the sum of M(II) concentrations added in water, allowing an overall detection of heavy metals. This result indicates that this method can be very interesting for monitoring all toxic metals in effluents. The limit of detection was found equal to 0.2 ppm for lead. This value allows us to reach levels significant for industrial effluents, in comparison to the limits fixed by the French ministry of ecology for lead, cadmium and zinc to 0.5 ppm, 0.2 ppm and 2.0 ppm respectively. This study highlights the real interest of devices based on a liquid-liquid microinterface.