Differential pulse anodic voltammetric determination of lithium ions in pharmaceutical formulations using a carbon paste electrode modified with spinel-type manganese oxide.

The use of the differential pulse voltammetry for the determination of lithium ions in pharmaceutical samples using a carbon paste electrode modified with spinel-type manganese oxide has been examined. The best voltammetric response was reached for a modified electrode in borate buffer solution of pH 9.0 and submitted to a scan rate of 5 mV s(-1) and a pulse amplitude of 50 mV. This electroanalytical procedure was able to determine lithium ions in the concentration range of 8.0 x 10(-5)-1.0 x 10(-2) mol l(-1) even in the presence of several alkali metals (1.0 x 10(-3) mol l(-1)) with a detection limit of 7.1 x 10(-7) mol l(-1). Rapidity, precise and good selectivity were also found for the determination of lithium ions in pharmaceutical formulations.