Determination of Cu 2+ in Drinking Water Based on Electrochemiluminescence of Ru(phen) 3 2+ and Cyclam

A convenient and simple electrochemiluminescence (ECL) method was employed to detect trace amounts of Cu 2+ in drinking water. This method is based on the inhibitory effect of Cu 2+ on the ECL of Ru(phen) 3 2+ and 1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam) system. ECL intensity of Ru(phen) 3 2+ was considerably enhanced by the addition of cyclam because of the ECL reaction between them. The ECL intensity of Ru(phen) 3 2+ /cyclam system rapidy decreased with the addition Cu 2+ because of the formation of chelate complex [Cu(cyclam)] 2+ . Good linear response ( R 2 =0.9948) was obtained at Cu 2+ concentration of 1.0×10 −9 −1.0×10 −5  mol ⋅ L −1 at glassy carbon electrode in 0.1 mol ⋅ L −1 phosphate buffer (pH 9.0). Observed detection limit of 4.8×10 −10  mol ⋅ L −1 satisfied the maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) for Cu 2+ set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). Applicability of the proposed method was verified by the good reproducibility and stability of the method when applied to determine Cu 2+ in tap water and simulated wastewater. Thus, a novel ECL detection method was developed for Cu 2+ detection.