Bi-potential Pulsed Electrochemical Detection of Copper
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Date
2017-01-01
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Chemistry & Biochemistry
Program
Chemistry
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Distribution Rights granted to UMBC by the author.
Distribution Rights granted to UMBC by the author.
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Abstract
Copper in its pure form is a lustrous red-orange metal that is valued for its electrical, mechanical and aesthetic properties. Aqueous copper is often found in either the +1 or +2 oxidation state, and is used in a variety of applications including: as a dietary supplement, as a biocidal marine paint additive, as an algal and fungal control agent, as an antimicrobial agent, and as the treatment for the protozoan Cryptocaryon irritans (a.k.a. Marine "Ich"). The level of copper in drinking water is strictly monitored by the US EPA, with a maximum contaminant limit of 1.3 parts per million. Literature is replete with analytical methods for the analysis of aqueous copper, with research on this topic dating back centuries. New research seeks to simplify the analysis and broaden matrix compatibility to include beverages and seawater, but reported methods often require extensive sample preparation and preconcentration or, in the case of electrochemical methods, complex chemical electrode modification to achieve the reported sensitivity and selectivity. This research explores the application of bi-potential pulsed electrochemical detection (BPED) to the analysis of copper and other metals after ion chromatography separation. Copper was successfully separated and quantified in the presence of cadmium and lead in fresh water samples. Additionally, copper was quantified in various dietary supplements used to treat copper deficiency in humans. Additional work is presented that shows BPED is capable of being developed into a stand-alone analytical technique for copper at gold and glassy carbon electrodes ? with emphasis on waveform development and optimization techniques. Directions for future work are also explored.