Application of disorganized monolayer films on gold electrodes to the prevention of surfactant inhibition of the voltammetric detection of trace metals via anodic stripping of underpotential deposits: Detection of copper

Development of an approach to prevention of electrode surface fouling by surfactants in samples is demonstrated. Spontaneously adsorbed monolayer systems employing short alkyl chains and bulky end groups are used to form porous disorganized monolayers on gold electrodes. Detection of copper by stripping of underpotential deposits formed at electrodes modified with disorganized films of mercaptoethanesulfonate (MES), mercaptopropane-sulfonate, mercaptoacetic acid, and mercaptopropanoic acid was possible, and to a much lesser extent at aminoethanethiol and L-cysteine films. Use of short deposition times in conjunction with linear sweep anodic stripping voltammetry allowed detection of Cu2+ ions down to 1 x 10(-6) M in sulfuric acid solution, using underpotential deposition as the deposition step of the procedure. Calibration graphs were linear in the concentration range (1-80) x 10(-6) M Cu2+ using 15-s deposition at 0.00 V versus Ag\AgCl. The surfactants Tween 20, Tween 80, and Triton X-100 were found to have no affect on detection of Cu2+ ions in the calibration curve concentration range using MES-modified gold electrodes, whereas at unmodified gold electrodes very severe attenuation of the detection capability was manifested. The average slope for all calibration curves at the MES-modified electrode in the absence and presence of the surfactants at two different concentration levels was 0.0710 +/- 0.0024 muA muM(-1); in contrast, the slope of the calibration line at uncoated gold electrodes in the presence of surfactant was 0.0268 muA muM(-1). These results indicate the excellent ability of a disorganized, porous monolayer for prevention of fouling of the electrode surface by the surfactants.