Adsorption of surfactants at the mercury/electrolyte interface causes
changes in electrode capacity. This phenomenon can be used for surfact
ant analysis in low and ultra-low concentration ranges. Tensammetry is
carried out by alternating current or potential pulse techniques. Tim
e-dependent concentration changes can be determined by adsorption kine
tics at the mercury/electrolyte interface. As the interaction of surfa
ctants with the mercury/electrolyte interface strongly depends on the
potential of the electrode, repeated potential jumps can be used to ge
nerate adsorption-desorption cycles. This permits rapid determination
of constant or time-dependent concentration. The adsorption kinetics o
f cationic and non-ionic surfactants on clay minerals were determined
by Kalousek polarography. These two types of surfactant exhibit differ
ent behaviour. Many other adsorption phenomena might also be investiga
ted by using the method described here.