Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

-----

How Do I Easily Analyze Copper Solutions Using Only an A-Level Laboratory?

Hello there,

I am investigating the best types of analysis to determine how much copper is in a sample at different concentrations of solution, using only the equipment an A-Level laboratory could provide. This is important to achieving my qualification so any information would be greatly appreciated.(A-level is the stage after School and before University) Thank you!

Richard Ramsden
- Grimsby, England
2000

If your "A-level" lab has a spectrometer, find a listing of the wavelength absorption of copper and run tests based on the output of the spectrometer (using a test standard for calibration; something you might have done in high school). If not, a titration of sorts might provide the information you want (it's been a long time, so I don't remember a lot of the titration solutions).

Try an Aluminum transfer where you trade Al ions for the Cu ions in your solution and then weigh the substrate.

Perhaps this will help.

W.D. O'Dell, Sr.
- Atlanta, Georgia
2000

---

1 of 2 simultaneous responses .

Where would one find a listing of the wavelength absorption of copper?

Marcus Bradley
- Chauvin, Louisiana

---

2 of 2 simultaneous responses

The one test for copper ions that comes to my memory is a titration using EDTA. These EDTA titrations work for other metal ions as well. These do not require any extensive apparatus - other than what is typically required for a wet chemical test. Hope this is of use.

bharat indu
- Toronto. Canada
2000

Por favor informacion sobre analisis de minerales y optimizacion de procesos metalurgicos

Ruben Quillahuaman Cusicuna
anton lorena - Los Olivos,lima peru
2001

If you are using a spectrophotometer, it's also possible to make a coloured complex with zincdibenzyldithiocarbamate. It is possible to make a couple of standards with known concentrations, afterwards it's easy to determine your copper concentration by interpolation after linear regression. Te complexing agent will absorb at 437 nm. After the yellow complex has formed, the copper-complex layer needs to be extracted with 1,1,1-trichloro ethane in an acidic environment. By using a separatory funnel for the extraction, the stopper should be made of PFTE. As a final note the glasswork used in this experiment has to be rinsed with 10M HNO3 (1.40 g/mL) and then with water to ensure the glasswork is entirely copper-free.

Johan Haitel
- Groningen, Netherlands
2005