Electrochemical stripping analysis

Electrochemical stripping analysis (ESA) is a trace electroanalytical technique for the determination of metal cations, inorganic ions, organic compounds and biomolecules. It is based on a pre-concentration step of the target analyte(s), or a compound of the target, on a suitable working electrode. This is followed by a stripping step of the accumulated analyte using an electroanalytical technique. Advantages of ESA include high sensitivity and low limits of detection, multi-analyte capability, low cost of instrumentation and consumables, low power requirements, potential for on-site analysis, speciation capability and scope for indirect biosensing. This Primer covers fundamental aspects of ESA and discusses methods of pre-concentration and stripping, instrumentation, types of working electrodes and sensors, guidelines for method optimization, typical applications, data interpretation and interferences, and method limitations and workarounds. Finally, the current trends and future prospects of ESA are highlighted.