Design of experiments at electroanalysis. Application to the optimization of nanostructured electrodes for sensor development

Abstract This chapter describes the optimization of nanostructured electrodes following a factorial design method. Screen-printed carbon electrodes can be modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for the preparation of a chemical sensor for Hg(II) determination. The deposition of AuNPs was carried out in situ by an electrochemical procedure. The values of the gold precursor concentration, the intensity of the current applied, and the time were optimized by design of experiments. This method provides graphical information about the principal effects and interactions among factors affecting the analytical signal. The most useful and representative plots were discussed. The protocol described was then applied to the determination of Hg(II) in drinking water.