Development and application of a portable microprocessed potentiostat/galvanostat for monitoring in situ and on-line of metal ions in environmental samples

Abstract

The construction of a potentiostat/galvanostat for monitoring in situ and on-line of metal ions in water samples employing printed electrodes as electrochemical sensors is proposed in this project. The equipment will be microprocessed which increases its self-sufficiency, it does not require a microcomputer and can be operated on battery module. Besides these features, the proposed equipment will provide devices that allow communication by ethernet for remote transmission of data from field and drivers to obtain the geographic location of the water sample using GPS technology (Global Positioning System). Software dedicated exclusively for this purpose will also be developed as well as printed electrodes used as electrochemical sensors. Calibrations, testing of accuracy, precision and reliability of built equipment will be done in order to certify the reliability and performance of the equipment. We believed that the proposed electrochemical analysis of metal ions in environmental waters in situ and on-line employing a microprocessed potentiostat/galvanostat with memory card, ethernet and tracking by GPS is a good alternative to conventional methods of water analyses. Those methods normally used are laborious and demand a relatively long time to carry out. The proposed equipment has a very innovative potential, with good market prospects and certainly its development will contribute to the intellectual and technical growth of all participants. (AU)