High surface area gold electrodes are very good substrates for biosensors, catalysis and drug delivery. Their performance is characterized by good sensitivity, low detection limit and high signal. As a result, extensive research is being carried out in this field using different approaches of fabrication to generate high surface area porous electrodes of different morphology, pore size and structure. The morphology of the electrodes can be changed based on whether the approach involves a template or not, types of metal deposition, method and time of dealloying etc. The deposition of metal can be carried out using various approaches such as electroless deposition, electrochemical deposition, combination of electroless and electrochemical deposition, pulsed laser deposition, laser deposition etc. These electrodes can then be used in electrochemical measurements and their performance compared with an unmodified flat gold electrode. We used a template based approach, combined with electrochemical deposition, to fabricate macroporous, macro-nanoporous and nanoporous gold electrodes. To generate nanopores, in case of macro-nanoporous and nanoporous gold electrodes, we used gold-silver alloy electrochemical deposition method, followed by chemical dealloying. The morphology of electrodes was later observed under HITACHI Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and their elemental composition studied using HITACHI Energy Dispersion Spectroscopy (EDS). The electrodes were used in electrochemical measurements and their voltammetric data was compared. These measurements involved the determination of surface area, faradaic current using redox molecules with fast and slow electron transfer and charging current in KCl. Surface adsorption of dopamine was studied and detection of dopamine in the presence of ascorbic acid was carried out.

Cette thèse porte pour l'essentiel sur la synthèse de copolymères à blocs bien définis composés au moins d'un bloc polymère semi-conducteur et d'un segment hydrosoluble pour être utilisés comme agents dispersants de nanotubes de carbone (NTCs) dans des milieux aqueux. Des copolymères de différentes masses molaires ont été synthétisés en suivant des procédés de polymérisation sans métaux et l’influence de la fraction volumique de la partie hydrosoluble a été étudiée au regard de leur solubilité en milieux aqueux. La capacité de ces copolymères à s'organiser ou s'auto-assembler tant en solution qu'en film a été examinée. Enfin, des dispersions de NTCs avec ces copolymères ainsi que leurs films obtenus par différents types de dépôts ont été réalisés et caractérisés pour déterminer notamment leurs caractéristiques électro-optiques. / Our work focused on the synthesis of well-defined copolymers constituted with at least a conductive polymer segment along with hydrophilic moieties in order to disperse CNTs in aqueous media. Using metal free polymerizations, copolymers with different molecular weights were synthesized in order to study the influence of the hydrophilic part on these materials. Besides the self-assembly behavior of these copolymers, both in bulk and in solution, were addressed. This type of copolymers were successfully used to disperse both single and multi wall carbon nanotubes. Electrical and optical characteristics of the dispersions together with their films will also be discussed.

4 ABSTRACT Development and testing of novel non-toxic electrode materials, detection arrangements and analytical methods applicable in determination of selected agrochemicals is the main aim of this Ph.D. Thesis. New working electrodes based on silver solid amalgam paste (AgSA-PE) with organic pasting liquid and other based on crystallic silver amalgam (CAgAE) were developed, their electrochemical behaviour investigated and further used in voltammetric determination of widespread and toxic environmental pollutant 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). This analyte could be determined by DPV at AgSA-PE with limit of detection (LD) 1×10í6 mol lí1 and using CAgAE with LD 4×10í7 mol lí1 , both in 0.2 mol lí1 acetate buffer pH 4.8. Attempts to decrease LDs by utilization of adsorptive stripping voltammetry were not successful in either case. Crystallic silver amalgam was also successfully used for construction of microcylindric flow-through cell and tested for amperometric determination of nitrophenol mixture in HPLC-ED system. Both novel electrodes were found to be suitable alternatives to toxic mercury electrodes and the CAgAE seems to be promising working electrode for flowing systems. Method for sample preparation and voltammetric determination of broad-spectrum herbicide Glyphosate in contaminated soil samples was also...

Wastewater treatment has always been a problem to human settlers. Events such as the great stink of London during the summer of 1858 have pushed engineers into developing new technologies to deal with such wastes in effective and safe ways. Research projects like this aim to find ways of improving performance, economics, or environmental friendliness of treatment and disinfection methods. This thesis deals with the effectiveness, mechanisms of action, by-products and side effects of using DC current to disinfect secondary effluent. It is proposed as an alternative to conventional methods, such as chlorination, which are not always environmentally friendly or feasible. It was demonstrated that DC current efficiently kills pathogens. DC properly used achieves disinfection significantly higher than the minimum required by the EPA. Nevertheless disinfection by products such as residual chlorine should be taken into account when considering this technology as an alternative to conventional chlorination.

A project report submitted to the faculty of Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering. Johannesburg, 1994. / South Africa is the largest primary producer of platinum-group metals (PGMs) in the world. It is estimated that only 2.1 per cent of the 153711 kg of total sales for 1993 was beneficiated locally. Potential value added foreign exchange earnings and employment opportunities. therefore. are being forfeited. This study identifies prospective areas of development in the major sectors of application of PGMs namely: autocatalysts; chemical and allied industries; electrical and electronics sectors; jewellery and coinage fabricators. The methodology of intensity of use (IOU) is first discussed. ThIs is followed by an analysts of South Africa's production and sales of PGMs. The body of the report is an empirical study of the IOU of platinum and palladium to establish a world outlook for these metals in their applications. Finally, the more lucrative of these applications are discussed in the light of South Africa's participiltion and competitiveness in the world market. The conclusions are firstly, that the established autocatalyst industry has the best prospect for growth and expansion. Secondly, the electrical application of platinum in fuel cells has potential depending on the level of government funding and support for a R&D programme. The third finding is that the electronics and jewellery industries have development potential on condition that resistance to market entry can be overcome by reduced public policy costs. Possible violation of GATT agreements may be avoided for these applications by world free trade co-operation.

O presente trabalho descreve uma forma inédita e simples de construção de eletrodos de ouro (CDtrodos) a partir de discos compactos graváveis (CD-Rs). Os CD-Rs possuem em sua constituição uma película de ouro com uma espessura entre 50 e 100 nm e com área aproximada de 100 cm2. Esta superfície de ouro pode ser facilmente utilizada para construção de eletrodos convencionais usados em células estacionárias ou em células em fluxo. Além disso, a espessura nanométrica do filme de ouro também pode ser utilizada para construção de microeletrodos de banda com áreas inferiores a 10-6 cm2. Devido ao fato do CD-R ser produzido em escala comercial, o custo do mesmo é muito baixo, tornando possível sua utilização na forma de eletrodos descartáveis. Para comprovar a viabilidade da utilização destes filmes na confecção de eletrodos, seu desempenho foi comparado com o de eletrodo de ouro comercial, sendo observado um comportamento análogo. Diferentes maneiras de utilização do disco compacto gravável foram testadas, tanto em amostras sintéticas, como também, em amostras reais. Utilizando o método de redissolução potenciométrica à corrente constante (CCPSA), foram analisadas amostras de mercúrio em água potável e em água do mar, adaptando o CD-R a uma célula de injeção em fluxo. Nestes estudos, o limite de detecção de mercúrio situou-se em 250 ng L-1, utilizando-se tempo de deposição de 300 segundos. Estudos preliminares em células estacionárias levaram a limites de detecção inferiores. Em célula estacionária, foram realizadas análises de cobre em aguardente e em água potável. Em alguns casos, os resultados obtidos com as amostras reais foram comparados com outra técnica (E.A.A.), onde os resultados obtidos foram muito próximos a àqueles obtidos com os eletrodos de ouro. Análises em água de abastecimento, mostraram que em células estacionárias o limite de detecção para cobre situa-se em 30 ng L-1, para tempos de deposição de 600 segundos. / This work describes an original and novel form of construction of gold electrodes (CDtrodes) from recordable CDs (CD-Rs). The CD-Rs contain in its constitution a fine gold layer with a thickness from 50 to 100 nm and an approx. 100 cm2 of area. This surface can be easily used for construction of conventional electrodes for stationary or flow electrochemical cells. Moreover, the nanometer thickness of the gold film can be employed for the construction of microelectrodes with areas smaller than 10-6 cm2. Due to the fact that CD-Rs are produced on commercial scale, the cost of each unit is very low, a feature that enables the use of these electrodes in disposable form. To prove the suitability of these films to make gold electrodes, their performance was compared with the response of a commercial electrode, and a similar behavior was observed. Different applications of recordable compact disk were tested either with synthetic or real samples. Using the Constant-Current Potentiometric Stripping Analysis (CCPSA) method, mercury was analyzed in seawater and drinking water samples, fitting the CD-R to flow injection analysis cell. In these studies, the detection limit for mercury was found to be 250 ng L-1, with a deposition time of 300 seconds. Preliminary studies involving stationary cells allowed lower detection limits for mercury to be attained. With a stationary cell, the analyses of copper in sugar cane spirits and drinking water were carried out. In some instances, comparisons were made between this and another analytical technique (namely A.A.S.) where the results were very close with the ones obtained with the gold electrodes. Analysis of drinking water showed that for stationary cells the detection limit for copper is 30 ng L-1, with a deposition time of 600 s.

O tratamento por técnicas eletroquímicas é provavelmente uma das metodologias mais prometedoras na descontaminação de sistemas particulados, sendo capaz da remoção, total ou parcial, de contaminantes como metais pesados, radionuclídeos, orgânicos e inorgânicos. Pelo uso de uma diferença de potencial elétrico em correntes baixas aplicadas através de pares de eletrodos, os contaminantes são movidos sob a ação do campo elétrico. A extração de impurezas pelo método eletrocinético é baseada na suposição que as moléculas estejam ou sejam evoluídos para a fase liquida. O ciclo completo envolve a adsorção, o transporte, a captação, e a remoção do contaminante dos meios porosos. Neste trabalho avaliou-se o emprego da técnica de eletroosmose na remoção de fenol em meios líquidos e porosos. O fenol foi escolhido por ser um composto altamente tóxico, proveniente de refinarias de óleos, industrias de tintas e principalmente pesticidas. Para a validação do processo em escala de laboratório, foi confeccionada uma célula eletroquímica para um volume de 700 cm3, com eletrodos de titânio. A concentração de fenol utilizada para este experimento foi constante de 11 mM. Água destilada, areia, pós de vidro e solo foram classificados, caracterizados e selecionados como meios porosos experimentais. As aplicações das cargas variaram de O a 120-140-240 minutos, sendo que o mapeamento do pH indicou eletromigração de espécies em todos os sistemas. Na eletroosmose temos o arraste das moléculas de fenol em direção ao catodo simultâneo à eletrólise da água, cujas concentrações relativas de contaminante foram avaliadas por espectroscopia de UV-Vis. A montagem dispõe de um reservatório para coleta de produtos de reação em cada eletrodo sendo possível a remoção do íon fenólico migrado. O processo apresentou eficiências variando de 40% a 60% na extração, dependendo das características do meio poroso. De um modo geral a técnica apresentou-se ecologicamente viável e econômica, como procedimento de remediação de solos e sistemas particulados diversos. / The use of electrochemical techniques is probably one of most promising technology for particulate system decontamination treatments. This methodology appears as able to remove heavy metals, radionucletides and organic and inorganic contaminations. By using an electric potential difference with low currents intensities through electrodes, the contaminants in the porous medium are dragged under electric field action. The contaminant removal is base on the supposition that the impurities are in solution or elute to the liquid phase. The whole cycle involves adsorption, transport, collection and removal of contaminants from the medium. In this work it was studied the use of the electroosmosis technique for removal of phenol from porous and aqueous medium. Phenol was chose because of its high toxicity and the regularly use in oil refineries, ink industries and pesticides. To validate the process, in laboratorial scale, an electrochemical cell of 700 cm3 volume, with titanium electrodes was constructed. The phenol concentration was 11 mM. Distillated water, sand, glass powder and sample of soil were classified, characterized and selected to constitute the porous media. The charge application time varied from 120 to 140 to 240 minutes and the pH mapping showed migration effect in ali of the systems. In the electroosmosis process we have the molecules of phenol dragged towards the cathode simultaneously to the water electrolysis. The relative concentrations of phenol were evaluated by UV-Vis spectroscopy. In the experimental setup a reservoir in each electrode was assembled in order to collect the reaction products. The process efficiencies are in a range from 40% to 60%, dependent of the porous medium characteristics. In a broad sense, the technique showed feasible as an economic and ecological procedure for soil and particulate system remediation.

Neste trabalho foram preparados eletrodos de óxidos de composição nominal Ti/RuyTi(1-y-x)SnxO2 por decomposição térmica (400 °C) via três rotas diferentes: Método Tradicional empregando-se precursores inorgânicos dissolvidos em Isopropanol (MT/ISO) e em solução de HCl 1:1 (v/v) (MT/HCl) e, Método dos Precursores Poliméricos (MPP). Os recobrimentos de óxidos foram caracterizados por Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura, análises de Energia Dispersiva de raios X e Difração de Raios X. A caracterização eletroquímica dos eletrodos foi feita por estudos de potencial em circuito aberto, tempo de vida útil e voltametria cíclica na ausência e na presença do poluente selecionado como modelo, o 4-clorofenol. Eletrólises do 4-clorofenol e de seus principais subprodutos foram realizadas em uma célula de fluxo tipo filtro-prensa e monitoradas por análises de Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência, Carbono Orgânico Total e íons cloreto em solução, além de testes bacteriológicos de toxicidade. Os resultados mostram que o método de preparação influencia na morfologia e na composição dos eletrodos, mas não afeta o tamanho dos cristalitos. Apesar das características distintas, MT/ISO e MPP são adequados para o preparo desses eletrodos pois evitam perdas dos componentes e proporcionam recobrimentos de estabilidade eletroquímica bastante apropriada frente às condições drásticas de eletrólise, viabilizando assim a aplicação destes eletrodos na degradação de poluentes orgânicos. Além disso, todos os eletrodos investigados são muito promissores para a degradação eletroquímica de clorofenóis, pois apresentam excelente atividade para o consumo do 4-clorofenol. Independente da composição e do método de preparação do eletrodo, os subprodutos formados na eletrooxidação de 4-clorofenol são: hidroquinona, benzoquinona, cloro-hidroquinona e 4-clorocatecol, além dos ácidos oxálico, maleico, málico, succínico e malônico. Embora a mineralização completa do poluente não tenha sido atingida, a toxicidade das soluções após o término das eletrólises diminui consideravelmente, visto que tanto o composto orgânico de partida quanto os subprodutos aromáticos formados são degradados com excelente eficiência, sobretudo quando se utilizam ânodos preparados por MT/ISO. / In this work oxides electrodes of nominal composition Ti/RuyTi(1-y-x)SnxO2 were prepared by thermal decomposition (400 °C) by three different routes: Traditional Method using inorganic precursors dissolved in either Isopropanol (MT/ISO) or a solution of HCl 1:1 (v/v) (MT/HCl) and the Polymeric Precursors Method (MPP).Oxides coatings were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X ray analyses and X ray Diffraction. The electrochemical characterization of the electrodes was performed by studies of potential in open circuit, service lifetime, and cyclic voltammetry in the absence and in the presence of the model pollutant 4-chlorophenol. Electrolyses of 4-chlorophenol and its main by-products were accomplished in filter-press flow cell and monitored by High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Total Organic Carbon, and analyses of chloride ions in solution, besides bacteriological toxicity tests. Results show that the preparation method influences the morphology and composition of the electrodes, but it does not affect the crystallite size. In spite of their different characteristics, MT/ISO and MPP are appropriate methods for the preparation of these electrodes because they avoid the loss of components and provide electrochemically stable coatings before the drastic conditions of electrolysis. Therefore, these electrodes can be applied in the degradation of organic pollutants. Furthermore, all the investigated electrodes are very promising for the electrochemical degradation of chlorophenols, because they present excellent activity regarding the consumption of 4-chlorophenol. Independent of the composition and the preparation method of the electrode, the by-products formed in the electrooxidation of 4-chlorophenol are hydroquinone, benzoquinone, chlorohydroquinone, and 4-chlorocatechol, as well as oxalic, maleic, malic, succinic, and malonic acids. Although the complete mineralization of the pollutant has not been reached, the toxicity of the solutions decreases considerably after the end of the electrolyses. This is because both the initial organic compound and the aromatic by-products formed in the electrolyses are degraded with excellent efficiency, especially when the anodes prepared by MT/ISO are employed.

No presente trabalho estão descritas a síntese e as propriedades espectroscópicas e eletroquímicas da meso-{tetrakis-(3-piridilpentacianoferrato)} porfirinato e dos materiais do tipo Azul da Prússia, obtidos pela reação de \"auto-formação\" da nova porfirina com íons de metais de transição. Os novos materiais foram caracterizados por espectroscopia de massa, UV -Vis, Infravermelho, Raman ressonante e Mossbauer de 57Fe, cronoamperometria, voltametria cíclica e de pulso diferencial, espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica e espectroeletroquímica. A PPCF foi obtida através da reação do 3-TPyP com [Fe(CN)5(NH3)]3-, numa mistura de 2,2,2- trifluoroetanol/água. A porfirina supramolecular exibe propriedades características dos pentacianoferratos, tais como a alta solubilidade em água e formação de sólidos com metais de transição, como Ni2+, Zn2+ e Fe3+. Os resultados espectroscópicos e eletroquímicos confirmaram a coordenação de grupos pentacianoferrato aos resíduos piridínicos da 3-TPyP. Além disso, sugerem uma maior interação por retro-doação π: entre a 3-TPyP e o complexo de ferro que no composto análogo [Fe(CN)5py]3-. Os materiais do tipo Azul da Prússia foram utilizados como modificadores de eletrodos de níquel e de pasta de carbono. O comportamento eletroquímico desses eletrodos modificados é bastante dependente da solução eletrolítica empregada. Por exemplo, ao se utilizar solução eletrolítica de NaNO3 no lugar de KNO3, os picos se tornam mais largos e menos intensos, indicando que o processo redox está sendo limitado pela difusão dos cátions hidratados no material. Filmes estáveis e bastante homogêneos da nova porfirina foram gerados galvanostaticamente (6,7 mC.cm-2 ) sobre superfícies de níquel. Os eletrodos de níquel modificados com PPCF exibem rápida fotoresposta e uma fotocorrente bastante reprodutível. / The present work describes the synthesis and spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of meso-{tetrakis-(3 pyridylpentacyanoferrate)} porphyrin (PPCF) and its Prussian Blue type materiais, obtained by self-assembly reaction between the new porphyrin and transition metal ions. The new materiais were characterized by Mass, UV -Vis, Infrared, Resonance Raman, and 57Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy, chronoamperometry, cyclic and differential pulse voltametry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and spectroelectrochemistry. The meso-{tetrakis-(3-pyridylpentacyanoferrate)} porphyrin (PPCF) was obtained by the reaction of 3-TPyP with [Fe(CN)5(NH3)]3--in a 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol/water solution. The supramolecular porphyrin exhibits characteristic properties of the pentacyanoferrate complexes, such as high solubility in aqueous solutions and formation of highly insoluble solids with transition metal ions, like Ni2+, Zn2 + or Fe3 +. The spectroscopic and electrochemical data indicated the coordination of the pentacyanoferrate complex to the pyridyl residues of 3-TPyP. They also suggested a stronger π back-bonding interaction between 3-TPyP and the iron complex than in the related compound [Fe(CN)5py]3--· The Prussian Blue type materiais were used as nickel and carbon paste electrodes modifiers. The electrochemical behavior is dependent of the electrolyte. For example, when NaNO3 was used instead of KNO3 the waves became broad and the intensity decreased, indicating that the charges generated in the redox reactions are compensated by the diffusion of the hydrated cation through the material. Stable and quite homogeneous films of the new porphyrin were grown galvanostatically (6.7 mC.cm-2 ) on nickel surfaces. The PPCF nickel modified electrodes exhibited fast photoresponse and a reproducible photocurrent.

Sílicas mesoporosas foram funcionalizadas pela imobilização de substâncias orgânicas ligadas covalentemente aos grupos silanol da superfície da sílica. A sílica SBA-15 nanoestruturada foi funcionalizada por pós-síntese com benzotiazol-2-tiol e filmes de sílica modificados com 3-mercaptopropiltrimetoxisilano foram obtidos por funcionalização direta. A caracterização destes materiais foi realizada por espectroscopia no infravermelho, difração de raios X, termogravimetria, análise elementar, ressonância magnética nuclear, microscopia de força atômica e microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Eletrodos compósitos grafite-poliuretana e pasta de carbono modificados com sílica SBA-15 organofuncionalizada com benzotiazol-2-tiol (BTPSBA) e eletrodo carbono vítreo modificado com filme de sílica tiol-funcionalizado foram preparados e avaliados quanto ao seu desempenho em relação à determinação voltamétrica de metais pesados em amostras de água natural e cachaça. Parâmetros que afetam a corrente de pico voltamétrica foram otimizados e cádmio(II) apresentou uma resposta linear no intervalo de 1,0 a 10,0 x 10-6 mol L-1 com limite de detecção de 4,5 x 10-7 mol L-1 usando o eletrodo de pasta de carbono modificado com BTPSBA e voltametria de redissolução anódica de pulso diferencial (DPASV). Cd(II) foi adicionado em amostras de águas naturais e determinado com recuperação média de 96,4% em concentrações da ordem de 10-6 mol L-1. Este mesmo eletrodo, também foi avaliado na determinação de chumbo, cobre e mercúrio em amostras de água natural e cachaça por DPASV. Curvas analíticas foram lineares nos intervalos de concentração de 3,0 a 70,0 x 10-7 mol L-1 de (Pb2+), 8,0 a 100,0 x 10-7 mol L-1 de (Cu2+) e 2,0 a 10,0 x 10-6 mol L-1 de (Hg2+), com limites de detecção de 4,0 x 10-8 mol L-1 (Pb2+), 2,0 x 10-7 mol L-1 (Cu2+) e 4,0 x 10-7 mol L-1 (Hg2+). Os resultados indicaram que o eletrodo de pasta de carbono modificado com BTPSBA é sensível e efetivo na determinação de Pb2+, Cu2+ e Hg2+ nas amostras analisadas. O eletrodo compósito grafite-poliuretana modificado com BTPSBA foi avaliado na detecção de cádmio, chumbo, cobre e mercúrio, utilizando voltametria de redissolução anódica de pulso diferencial e onda quadrada (SWASV). Usando SWASV e 5 min de tempo de acumulação, respostas lineares foram obtidas nas faixas de concentrações de 1,0 x 10-7 a 1,0 x 10-6 mol L-1 (Cd2+), 7,0 a 90,0 nmol L-1 (Pb2+), 5,0 x 10-8 a 9,0 x 10-7 mol L-1 (Cu2+) e 1,0 x 10-8 a 1,0 x 10-7 mol L-1 (Hg2+), com limites de detecção de 29,0 nmol L-1 (Cd2+), 0,8 nmol L-1 (Pb2+), 8,0 nmol L-1 (Cu2+) e 0,9 nmol L-1 (Hg2+). O eletrodo modificado foi testado com sucesso na determinação simultânea de Cd2+, Pb2+, Cu2+ e Hg2+ em amostras de água natural. Hg(II) também foi determinado em amostras de água natural usando o eletrodo carbono vítreo modificado com filme de sílica tiol-funcionalizado e foi observado um limite de detecção de 4,3 nmol L-1, usando 15 min de pré-concentração. Hg(II) foi determinado com recuperação entre 97,0 e 101,4% em concentrações da ordem de 10-8 mol L-1. Os resultados mostraram que o eletrodo é seletivo e sensível na determinação de mercúrio. Em todos os casos, a sílica SBA-15 organofuncionalizada com benzotiazol-2-tiol e o filme de sílica tiol-funcionalizado mostraram ser bons modificadores, melhorando a sensibilidade dos eletrodos. / Mesoporous silicas were functionalised by immobilisation of organic substances covalently bonded to the silanol groups on the silica surface. SBA-15 nanostructured silica was functionalised by post-synthesis with 2-benzothiazolethiol and silica films modified with 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane were obtained by direct functionalisation. The characterization of these materials was performed by IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, elemental analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance, atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Composite graphite- polyurethane and carbon paste electrodes modified with SBA-15 silica organofunctionalised with 2-benzothiazolethiol (BTPSBA) and glassy carbon electrode modified with silica film thiol-functionalised were prepared and evaluated in relation to their performance in voltammetric determination of heavy metals in natural water and sugar cane spirit samples. Parameters affecting the voltammetric peak current were optimized and cadmium(II) showed a linear response in the range from 1.0 to 10.0 x 10-6 mol L-1 with detection limit of 4.5 x 10-7 mol L-1, using the carbon paste electrode modified with BTPSBA and differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). Cd(II) spiked in a natural water sample was determined with 96.4% mean recovery at µmol L-1 level. The same electrode was also evaluated in the determination of lead, copper and mercury in natural water and sugar cane spirit samples by DPASV. Analytical curves were linear in concentration ranges from 3.0 to 70.0 x 10-7 mol L-1 (Pb2+), 8.0 to 100.0 x 10-7 mol L-1 (Cu2+) and 2.0 to 10.0 x 10-6 mol L-1 (Hg2+), with detection limits of 4.0 x10-8 mol L-1 (Pb2+), 2.0 x 10-7 mol L-1 (Cu2+) and 4.0 x 10-7 mol L-1 (Hg2+). The results indicated that the carbon paste electrode modified with BTPSBA is sensitive and effective in the simultaneous determination of Pb2+, Cu2+ and Hg2+ in the analyzed samples. The graphite-polyurethane composite electrode modified with BTPSBA was evaluated in the simultaneous detection of cadmium, lead, copper and mercury, using differential pulse and square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). Using SWASV and 5 min accumulation time, the linear response ranges were 1.0 x 10-7 to 1.0 x 10-6 mol L-1 (Cd2+), 7.0 x 10-9 to 90.0 nmol L-1 (Pb2+), 5.0 x 10-8 to 9.0 x 10-7 mol L-1 (Cu2+) and 1.0 x 10-8 to 1.0 x 10-7 mol L-1 (Hg2+), with detection limits of 29.0 nmol L-1 (Cd2+), 0.8 nmol L-1 (Pb2+), 8.0 nmol L-1 (Cu2+) and 0.9 nmol L-1 (Hg2+). The modified electrode was tested successfully in the determination of Cd2+, Pb2+, Cu2+ and Hg2+ in natural water samples. Hg(II) was also determined in natural water samples using glassy carbon electrode modified with silica film thiol-functionalised and observed a detection limit of 4.3 nmol L-1, using 15 min of pre-concentration time. Hg(II) was determined between 97.0 and 101.4% mean recovery at 10-8 mol L-1 level. The results indicate that this electrode is selective and sensitive for the Hg(II) determination. In all cases, silica SBA-15 organofunctionalised with 2-benzothiazolethiol and silica film thiol-functionalised improved the sensitivity of the electrodes.