Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for measurement or detection of a component of an aqueous liquid sample, said method comprising: placing a sample, possibly containing the component of interest, into a reaction cell, said reaction cell comprising at least two electrodes having an imedance which renders them suitable for coulometric, amperometric or voltammetric processes, so that the sample forms a layer of liquid having a thickness less than about 0.2 millimeter in a reaction zone overlying one of said electrodes, reacting said component, if present, directly or indirectly with a redox reagent represented by one of said electrodes to cause deposition of a derivative of said component on said one electrode, and monitoring current on deposition or subsequent stripping of said derivative to provide an indication of the presence or quantity of said component of interest by coulometry, voltammetry or amperometry.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said component to be measured comprises an electrochemically reducible ion, an electrochemically oxidizable inorganic ion or an electrochemically oxidizable or reducible organic compound.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a trace metal is analysed by anodic stripping voltammetry.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein mercuric ions are analysed by direct voltammetry or by step coulometry.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein organic materials are estimated by absorptive stripping voltammetry.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
20 words
A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said reaction cell comprises a capillary fill device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for carrying out electrochemical detection or measurement of a component of an aqueous liquid sample, said apparatus comprising: a reaction cell comprising at least two electrodes, the electrodes having an impedance which renders them suitable for coulometric, amperometric or voltammetric processes and being located in or adjacent to a reaction zone, said reaction zone being capable of receiving an aqueous liquid sample possible containing said component of interest, and said electrodes and said reaction zone being arranged so that liquid in said zone contacts said electrodes and forms a layer having a thickness less than about 0.2 millimeter overlying one of said electrodes, and said cell comprising a redox reagent represented by one of said electrodes so that derivative of said component is deposited on said one electrode on application of a suitable electrical potential.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said electrodes are selected from the group comprising gold, carbon and silver electrodes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 or 8 wherein said reaction cell comprises a capillary fill device.