SYNERGETIC ADSORPTION OF THE COPPER-PHENANTHROLINE-TRIBUTYLPHOSPHATE COMPLEX AT A MERCURY DROP ELECTRODE

In the framework of electrochemical investigations on the synergetic a dsorption of mixed ligand complexes at the mercury drop electrode, a c athodic stripping voltammetric method for the determination of copper( II) as mixed ligand complex with 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) and tribut ylphosphate (TBP) in aqueous solutions was examined. The measurements were based on the accumulation of the copper-phenanthroline complex on the mercury drop surface covered with a layer of TBP molecules. The c opper reduction response is strongly enhanced due to the formation of a mixed complex which is very hydrophobic and, therefore, strongly ads orbs at the electrode surface. The effect of various parameters (pH, m etal and ligand concentrations, time and potential of accumulation) on the reduction process is examined. The voltammetric procedure was the n applied to the detection of copper in natural water samples.