A B S T R A C T
A straightforward protocol for measuring low concentration levels of Ag(I) using bismuth
film electrode
(BiFE) in combination with anodic stripping voltammetry was developed and studied as a suitable
alternative to current methods for detecting the dissolution of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). The BiFE was
prepared in-situ on the surface of a supporting glassy carbon electrode. Several key operational
parameters were examined and optimized, e.g. accumulation potential, accumulation time and
concentration of Bi(III). The BiFE revealed good linear operation in the examined concentration range of
10–90 mg L1 Ag(I) with r2 of 0.998, calculated limit of detection (3s) of 2.1 mg L1 obtained after 60 s
accumulation, and favorable repeatability with RSD of 3.6% (50 mg L1, n = 10). The method was
successfully tested through measuring Ag(I) in the supernatant of a commercial Ag NP suspension and
the performance was superior to the potentiometric measurement using silver ion-selective electrode.