Regal electrochemistry: British 5 pence coins provide useful metallic macroelectrode substrates.
The utilisation of British Currency (GBP) as an electrode substrate is demonstrated for the first time. Termed Regal electrochemistry, a 5 pence (5p) coin (GBP) is electrically wired using a bespoke electrochemical cell and is electrochemically characterised using the outer-sphere redox probe hexaammineruthenium(III) chloride. The electroanalytical utility of the 5p coin electrode is demonstrated towards the novel, proof-of-concept sensing of lead(II) ions using square-wave voltammetry in model buffer solutions over the linear range 5-2000 nM exhibiting a limit of detection (3σ) of 1.97 nM. Interestingly, the actual cost of the electrode is 2.5 pence (GBP) since both sides of the coins can be utilised and provide a cheap yet reproducible and disposable metallic electrode substrate that is electrochemically useful.
Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Science and the Environment, Division of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester M1 5GD, UK. c.banks@mmu.ac.uk.
Fang
F
Tan
Jamie P
JP
Smith
Dimitrios K
DK
Kampouris
Joanna
J
Kamieniak
Craig E
CE
Banks