Ultrasound-assisted electroanalysis

The coupling of power ultrasound with well-characterized electrochemical experiments has opened the door to a new field of sensitive, reliable, diversely applicable electro-analytical techniques [125]. This combination of technologies has allowed the realization of the promise of such techniques, which have so far been relatively scarcely used owing to passivation, reliability and sensitivity problems [126]. 

This section describes the principal uses of ultrasounds in relation to voltammetric and, to a lesser extent, polarographic [127] and potentiometric techniques [128]. Although most applications of ultrasounds in combination with voltammetric techniques have so far involved liquid samples, they are discussed in this chapter on account of the growing interest they are arousing among analytical chemists. 

The use of ultrasounds in electrochemistry has provided a powerful electroanalytical tool. Thus, ultrasound-enhanced voltammetry possesses some attractive features such as the following  

As electrochemical stripping analysis has developed, new techniques have been introduced with a view to overcoming the problems of lengthy deposition times and improving sensitivity. 

Microelectrodes (viz. electrodes with dimensions in or below the micrometer range) are also employed in this context on account of their ability to increase mass transport  

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Finally, Chapter 8 disousses some well-established detection techniques such as electroanalysis, whioh has been greatly improved by US assistance and led to the development of sonoeleotroanalysis, and others in which ultrasound has provided a more efficient way of placing or transporting the sample — or the solution resulting from a given treatment — to the deteotion point (e.g. ultrasound-assisted levitation or nebulization). 

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