Estimation of non-ionic, surface-active substances in aqueous solutions by means of the Controlled Growth Mercury Electrode

In this paper, a quick and simple tensammetric method of estimation of non-ionic surfactants (NS) in aqueous solutions is proposed. The method makes use of the variation in the differential capacity of double layer in relation to the time of accumulation (C-d-(acc)) of non-ionic surfactants at the hanging mercury drop electrode, generated by a single, very quick opening of the valve. Under such conditions, the capacity current measured at the potential of maximum adsorption diminishes with accumulation time of non-ionic surfactants. The proposed method, which was verified for model surfactant (Triton X-100), may also be applied in the determination of other NS. Modifications in construction of the CGME electrode and its improved metrological parameters played an important role in the presented procedure. In addition, other measurements were performed using standard electrochemical techniques, whereby current-time and differential capacity-potential curves were recorded. Satisfactory results were obtained in the determination of Triton X- 100 in the range from 0.05 to 20 mg L-1 (R.S.D. = 6%, recovery = 94-103%, r = 0.999, DL = 0. 15 mg L-1). Applicability of the method was presented using the water samples from Bialka and Dunajec rivers, from which NS were removed by addition of fumed silica. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.