Determination of trace copper by solid substrate-room temperature phosphorescence quenching method based on...

A new solid substrate-room temperature phosphorescence quenching method for the determination of trace copper has been established. It is based on the fact that beryllon (R) can emit strong and stable solid substrate-room temperature phosphorescence on the filter paper, and Vitamin C (Vc) reduces R to non-phosphorescent compound that leads to solid substrate-room temperature phosphorescence (SS-RTP) quenching of R, and alpha,alpha'-dipyridyl can activate copper catalyzing Vitamin C reducing R. The DeltaI(p) of the system with alpha,alpha'-dipyridyl is 3.3 times higher than that without alpha,alpha'-dipyridyl, which shows the reaction of alpha,alpha'-dipyridyl activating copper catalyzing Vitamin C reducing R. The reducing value of phosphorescence intensity (DeltaI(p)) is directly proportional to the content of Cu(II) in the range of 0.040-4.0 fg spot(-1) (corresponding concentration: 0.10-10.0 pg ml(-1), sample volume: 0.40 microlspot(-1)). The regression equation of working curve can be expressed as DeltaI(p)=69.99+41.00 m Cu(2+) (fg spot(-1)) (r=0.9980, n=6), and the detection limit is 0.0088 fg spot(-1)(corresponding concentration: 2.2 x 10(-14) g ml(-1)). This sensitive and accurate method with good repeatability and high selectivity has been applied to the determination of trace copper in real samples with satisfactory results. The reaction mechanism for the determination of trace copper by solid substrate-room temperature phosphorescence quenching method based on the activating effect of alpha,alpha'-dipyridyl on Vitamin C reducing beryllon is also discussed.