Enhanced electrochemical detection of nitrite and nitrate at a Cu-30Ni alloy electrode

Significant catalytic activity towards the reduction of nitrite at unmodified Cu - 30% Ni alloy electrodes was found within the concentration ranges 16 - 200 muM nitrite. The reduction of nitrite was found to occur at potentials significantly less negative than the reduction of nitrate thereby providing clear resolution and the possibility of reliable nitrite/nitrate speciation. The results are contrasted with those found at a bare copper electrode where the spatial resolution of the nitrate and nitrite reduction processes is severely limited with significant overlap of the reduction processes. The procedure represents an inexpensive and facile method far nitrite determination in a number of applications.