Copper solid amalgam electrodes

This work describes the behavior of copper solid amalgam electrodes (CuSAE). The applied potential range has been compared with that of the silver solid amalgam electrode (AgSAE) and the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). In 0.05 M tetraborate buffer the applicable potential range of CuSAE is + 0.945 V to -1.75 V excluding -0.2 V to -0.5 V, where the anodic oxidation of copper occurs. CuSAE does not need other than electrochemical pre-treatment, which has been documented by the evaluated repeatability of eleven voltammetric curves of Cd2+ (0.1 ppm), Pb2+ (0.1 ppm) and Mn2+ (0.5 ppm). The obtained results showed that CuSAE could substitute the solid copper, amalgamed copper or liquid copper amalgam electrodes, and can be applied for the study of systems needing an addition of Cu2+ ions into the measured solution.