Calix[4]resorcinarenetetrathiol modified gold electrodes: Applications to the adsorption and electrochemical determination of N-nitrosamines

Preliminary results reported in this paper relate to the capture, retention and subsequent analysis of cationic N-nitrosamines, from aqueous solutions, at calix[4]resorcinarenetetrathiol modified gold electrodes. Adsorptive stripping voltammetric regimes at electrodes of this type have allowed quantifications of N-nitroso-N-butyl-N-propylamine down to concentrations of 10-10 M. Calix coatings have been shown, in certain cases, to allow an enhancement in the adsorptive uptake and subsequent analysis of N-nitrosamines in solution in comparison to signals obtained at bare gold electrodes, although the coatings may become saturated when higher concentrations or when longer preaccumulative deposition times are employed.