Monitoring of Metal Concentrations in Plating Rinse Tanks Using Stripping Voltammetry

The utility of electrochemical sensors, based on stripping voltammetry, for monitoring the concentration of toxic metals in electroplating rinse tanks is described. New concepts in stripping voltammetry, based on the use of ultramicroand modified electrodes and an adsorptive preconcentration step, successfully address many of the requirements for controlling rinsewater composition. The utility of these new sensing devices and strategies are illustrated for measurements of copper, nickel, tin, chromium, cadmium and lead. The high sensitivity of strip ping voltammetry, coupled with its compact and low-cost instrumentation, holds great promise for on-site monitoring of trace metals in plating facilities.