Direct electrochemical detection of sodium azide in physiological saline buffers using highly boron-doped diamond electrodes

Direct detection of sodium azide was examined by using highly boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes in some physiological saline buffer solutions. Three important saline buffers, ADA buffer (N-(2-acetamido) iminodiacetic acid), sodium EDTA and imidazole, were investigated. Hydrogen-terminated BDD was fixed for the investigation since it showed much better sensitivity for azide oxidation in comparison with the oxygen-terminated one. Wide range of buffer concentration was examined. A well-separated peak of sodium azide was observed in its mixture with the buffers, resulting in selective sodium azide detection. The current responses were exactly total addition of sodium azide and buffer current responses. The present method was evidenced to be available for direct detection of sodium azide in two samples of commercial diluents for cell counting. A standard addition method was applied. Sodium azide concentrations of 502 and 1355 μg mL−1 were detected in both samples with the R.S.D.s of 0.07 and 2.37%, respectively. Validation was achieved by the comparison with the sample concentrations given by the manufacturer. Simple, selective, good sensitivity and excellent reproducible detection make the diamond electrodes very attractive for numerous electroanalytical applications.