Electrochemical deposition and spectroscopic analysis methods and apparatus using diamond electrodes

Abstract

A method of analyzing chemical species in a solution, the method comprising: providing an electrochemical deposition apparatus comprising a first electrode () formed of an electrically conductive diamond material and a second electrode (); locating the first electrode in contact with a solution () to be analyzed and the second electrode in electrical contact with the solution to be analyzed; applying a potential difference between the first and second electrodes () such that current flows between the first and second electrodes through the solution to be analyzed and chemical species are electro-deposited from the solution onto the first electrode; applying a spectroscopic analysis technique to the electro-deposited chemical species (M1, M2, M3) on the first electrode to generate spectroscopic data about the electro-deposited chemical species on the first electrode; and using the spectroscopic data to determine the type of chemical species electro-deposited on the first electrode. The spectroscopic analysis technique, which can be based on X-rays, fluorescent X-rays or gamma rays, is used in combination with stripping voltammetric measurement performed on the first electrode. The spectroscopic data can also be used in-situ calibration data for calibrating the reference potential used voltammetric measurements.