It was found that ATP could form a ternary complex with Tb3+ and Phen,
which can emit the characteristic fluorescence of Tb3+. The experimen
t showed that the fluorescence intensity of the system was maxmium in
the following conditions: pH of the solution is 7.2, the concentration
s of Tb3+ and phenanthroline (Phen) are 2.0X10(-5)mol.L(-1) and 2,0X10
(-4)mol.L(-1), respectively. At the optimum conditions, a linear relat
ionship is obtained between the fluorescence intensity and ATP concent
ration in the range of 1.0x10(-6)-1.0.X10(-5)mol.L(-1). Traces of ATP
in drugs (ATP disodium salt tablets) can be determined using the stand
ard addition method. The luminescence mechanism of the system was disc
ussed.