Novel Determination for Transition Metal Ions Based on Voltammetry in the Presence of Acetaminophen

Transition metal and metal ions are environmentally significant. Existing methods for their quantification are mostly involved in spectroscopic approaches that need sophisticated instrumentation. Electrochemical determination of transition metals usually needs anodic stripping method which involves the use of toxic mercury.  In this work we found a sensitive protocol for nickel and cobalt ions.  In the presence of acetaminophen, the oxidation of these metal ions are significantly promoted in comparison to the absence of the drug molecule. Preliminary study suggested the complexation between metal ions and acetaminophen, and the surface accumulation of the resultant complexes. The linearity between metal ion concentration and the anodic current were observed, and the anodic current was due the enhanced oxidation of metal ion. Our follow-up study has optimized the analytical system. Further, the proposed method can be used to study the drug – metal ions (micronutrients ) and their mimics of pharmacologic kinetics. This work was supported by NASA-TSGC-NIP, SACP-UARP, UHD-ORC, Brown Foundation, and Welch Grant ( BJ-0027 ).