Electroanalysis of cationic species at membrane-carbon electrodes modified by polysaccharides. Bioaccumulation at microorganism-modified electrodes

Membrane-carbon electrodes modified with polysaccharides suspensions entrapped between a dialysis membrane and the carbon surface were used for electroanalysis of various cationic species. Cationic complexes of ruthenium and cobalt, metallic cations (Cu2+, Fe3+, UO22+) as well as methylviologen were considered. By investigating various parameters (concentration of the suspension, pH) binding of the cations by the polysaccharides was demonstrated. Comparison of cations uptake by different kinds of polysaccharides such as alginic acid, polygalacturonic acid, pectin, dextran and agar was performed. This study has been extended to natural biomaterials, alga and lichen, which are known to contain polysaccharides. The interest of the membrane–electrode strategy is described.