Differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry of copper in dichloromethane: application to the analysis of human hair Original Research Article

The voltammetric characteristics of copper(II)–bis(acetylacetone)ethylenediimine (Cu(II)–BAE) complex in dichloromethane at the mercury electrode are investigated. Anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) for the determination of trace-copper was developed in dichloromethane, using the differential pulse technique to strip the amalgamated copper from the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). The experimental variables such as scan rate of electrode potential, deposition potential, deposition time and stirring speed of the solution were optimized. The linear range of calibration graph and the detection limit were 5 × 10−8–10−6 M and 1.6 × 10−8 M of Cu(II), respectively. Preceded by wet ashing of the sample and solvent extraction of Cu(II)–BAE complex into dichloromethane, the method was used for the determination of copper in human hair as a typical example of application.