Detecting Copper in Water Using Electrochemiluminescence

Date of Graduation

Spring 2002

Degree

Master of Science in Chemistry

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Committee Chair

Mark Richter

Abstract

The detection of copper ions as Cu(dmp)₂⁺ (dmp=2,9 -dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) using electrochemiluminescence (ECL) is reported. Cu(dmp)₂⁺ is formed in situ by reducing Cu₂⁺ ions to Cu⁺ with hydroxylamine hydrochloride and then complexing with the chelating agent dump. ECL was generated by oxidizing Cu(dmp)₂⁺ in the presence of tri-n-propylamine (TPA). The ECL intensity peaks at a potential corresponding to oxidation of both TPA an Cu(dmp)₂⁺, indicating that the emission is from a Cu(dmp)₂⁺ metal-to-ligand charge transfer excited state. Conditions for ECL omission were optimized and used to generate a calibration curve that was linear over the 0.1-5 mg/L (ppm) range. The theoretical limit of detection was 6 μg/L (ppb), with a practical limit of detection of 0.1 ppm. The ECL of several metals ions other than copper with dmp and their effects on Cu(dmp)₂⁺ ECL were examined.

Subject Categories

Chemistry

Copyright

© Brian Douglas High

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Dissertation/Thesis

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