## 3500-Cu COPPER*

3500-Cu A. Introduction

1. Occurrence and Significance

Copper (Cu) is the first element in Group IB in the periodic table; it has an atomic number of 29, an atomic weight of 63.54, and valences of 1 and 2. The average abundance of Cu in the earth’s crust is 68 ppm; in soils it is 9 to 33 ppm; in streams it is 4 to 12  g/L; and in groundwater it is  0.1 mg/L. Copper occurs in its native state, but is also found in many minerals, the most important of which are those containing sulfide compounds (e.g., chalcopyrite), but also those with oxides and carbonates. Copper is widely used in electrical wiring, roofing, various alloys, pigments, cooking utensils, piping, and in the chemical industry. Copper salts are used in water supply systems to control biological growths in reservoirs and distribution pipes and to catalyze the oxidation of manganese. Copper forms anumber of complexes in natural waters with inorganic and organic ligands. Among the common aqueous species are Cu 2 , Cu(OH) 2 , and CuHCO 3 . Corrosion of copper-containing alloys in pipe fittings may introduce measurable amounts of copper into the water in a pipe system. Copper is considered an essential trace element for plants and animals. Some compounds are toxic by ingestion or inhalation.The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization recommended maximum level for irrigation waters is 200  g/L. Underthe lead-copper rule, the U.S. EPA drinking water 90th percentile action level is 1.3 mg/L.

2. Selection of Method

The atomic absorption spectrometric methods (3111B and C), the inductively coupled plasma methods (3120 and 3125), and the neocuproine method (B) are recommended because of theirfreedom from interferences. The electrothermal atomic absorption method (3113B) also may be used with success with an appropriate matrix modifier. The bathocuproine method (C) may be used for potable waters.

3. Sampling and Storage

Copper ion tends to be adsorbed on the surface of sample containers. Therefore, analyze samples as soon as possible after collection. If storage is necessary, use 0.5 mL 1 1 HCl/100 mL sample, or acidify to pH  2 with HNO 3 , to prevent this adsorption.



## 3500-Cu B. Neocuproine Method

1. General Discussion

a. Principle: Cuprous ion (Cu ) in neutral or slightly acidicsolution reacts with 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (neocuproine) to form a complex in which 2 moles of neocuproine are bound by 1 mole of Cu ion. The complex can be extracted by a number of organic solvents, including a chloroform-methanol (CHCl 3 -CH 3 OH) mixture, to give a yellow solution with a molar absorptivity of about 8000 at 457 nm. The reaction is virtuallyspecific for copper; the color follows Beer’s law up to a concentration of 0.2 mg Cu/25 mL solvent; full color development is obtained when the pH of the aqueous solution is between 3 and 9; the color is stable in CHCl 3 -CH 3 OH for several days.

The sample is treated with hydroxylamine-hydrochloride to reduce cupric ions to cuprous ions. Sodium citrate is used to complex metallic ions that might precipitate when the pH is raised. The pH is adjusted to 4 to 6 with NH4 OH, a solution of neocuproine in methanol is added, and the resultant complex is extracted into CHCl 3 . After dilution of the CHCl 3 to an exact volume with CH 3 OH, the absorbance of the solution is measured at 457 nm.

b. Interference: Large amounts of chromium and tin mayinterfere. Avoid interference from chromium by adding sulfurous acid to reduce chromate and complex chromic ion. In the presence of much tin or excessive amounts of other oxidizing ions, use up to 20 mL additional hydroxylamine-hydrochloride solution.

Cyanide, sulfide, and organic matter interfere but can be removed by a digestion procedure (see Section 3030).

c. Minimum detectable concentration: The minimum detectable concentration, corresponding to 0.01 absorbance or 98% transmittance, is 3  g Cu when a 1-cm cell is used and 0.6  g Cu when a 5-cm cell is used.

d. Quality control (QC): The QC practices considered to be an integral part of each method can be found in Section 3020.

2. Apparatus

a. Colorimetric equipment: One of the following is required: 1) Spectrophotometer, for use at 457 nm, providing a light path of 1 cm or longer.

2) Filter photometer, providing a light path of 1 cm or longer and equipped with a narrow-band violet filter having maximum transmittance in the range 450 to 460 nm.

b. Separatory funnels, 125-mL, Squibb form, with glass or TFE stopcock and stopper. * Approved by Standard Methods Committee, 1999. Editorial revisions, 2011. Joint Task Group: 20th Edition—See Section 3500-Al.

13. Reagents

a. Redistilled water, copper-free: Because most ordinary distilled water contains detectable amounts of copper, use redistilled water, prepared by distilling singly distilled water in aresistant-glass still, or distilled water passed through an ionexchange unit, to prepare all reagents and dilutions.

b. Stock copper solution: To 200.0 mg polished electrolytic copper wire or foil in a 250-mL conical flask, add 10 mL water and 5 mL conc HNO 3 . After the reaction has slowed, warm gently to complete dissolution of the copper and boil to expel oxides of nitrogen, using precautions to avoid loss of copper. Cool, add about 50 mL water, transfer quantitatively to a 1-L volumetric flask, and dilute to the mark with water; 1 mL  200  g Cu. c. Standard copper solution: Dilute 50.00 mL stock copper solution to 500 mL with water; 1.00 mL  20.0  g Cu. d. Sulfuric acid, H 2 SO 4 , conc. e. Hydroxylamine-hydrochloride solution: Dissolve 50 g NH 2 OH  HCl in 450 mL water.

f. Sodium citrate solution: Dissolve 150 g Na3 C 6H5 O 7  2H2O in 400 mL water. Add 5 mL NH2OH  HCl solution and 10 mL neocuproine reagent. Extract with 50 mL CHCl 3 to remove copper impurities and discard CHCl 3 layer.

g. Ammonium hydroxide, NH 4 OH, 5N: Dilute 330 mL conc NH4 OH (28-29%) to 1000 mL with water. Store in a polyethyl

ene bottle.

h. Congo red paper, or other pH test paper showing a color change in the pH range of 4 to 6.

i. Neocuproine reagent: Dissolve 100 mg 2,9-dimethyl1,10-phenanthroline hemihydrate* in 100 mL methanol. This solution is stable under ordinary storage conditions for a month or more.

j. Chloroform, CHCl 3 : Avoid or redistill material that comes in containers with metal-lined caps.

k. Methanol, CH 3 OH, reagent grade. l. Nitric acid, HNO 3 , conc. m. Hydrochloric acid, HCl, conc.

4. Procedure

a. Preparation of calibration curve: Pipet 50 mL water into a 125-mL separatory funnel for use as a reagent blank. Prepare standards by pipetting 1.00 to 10.00 mL (20.0 to 200  g Cu) standard copper solution into a series of 125-mL separatory funnels, and dilute to 50 mL with water. Add 1 mL conc H 2 SO 4 and use the extraction procedure given in ¶ b below.

Construct a calibration curve by plotting absorbance versus micrograms of copper.

To prepare a calibration curve for smaller amounts of copper, dilute 10.0 mL standard copper solution to 100 mL. Carry 1.00-to 10.00-mL volumes of this diluted standard through the previously described procedure, but use 5-cm cells to measure absorbance.

b. Treatment of sample: Transfer 100 mL sample to a 250-mL beaker, add 1 mL conc H 2 SO 4 and 5 mL conc HNO 3 . Add a few boiling chips and cautiously evaporate to dense white SO 3 fumes on a hot plate. If solution remains colored, cool, add another 5 mL conc HNO 3 , and again evaporate to dense white fumes. Repeat, if necessary, until solution becomes colorless.

Cool, add about 80 mL water, and bring to a boil. Cool and filter into a 100-mL volumetric flask. Make up to 100 mL with water using mostly beaker and filter washings.

Pipet 50.0 mL or other suitable portion containing 4 to 200  g Cu, from the solution obtained from preliminary treatment, into a 125-mL separatory funnel. Dilute, if necessary, to 50 mL with water. Add 5 mL NH 2 OH  HCl solution and 10 mL sodium citrate solution, and mix thoroughly. Adjust pH to approximately 4 by adding 1-mL increments of NH4 OH until Congo red paper is just definitely red (or other suitable pH test paper indicates a value between 4 and 6).

Add 10 mL neocuproine reagent and 10 mL CHCl 3 . Stopperand shake vigorously for 30 s or more to extract the copperneocuproine complex into the CHCl 3 . Let mixture separate into two layers and withdraw lower CHCl 3 layer into a 25-mL volumetric flask, taking care not to transfer any of the aqueous layer. Repeat extraction of the water layer with an additional 10 mL CHCl 3 and combine extracts. Dilute combined extracts to 25 mL with CH 3 OH, stopper, and mix thoroughly.

Transfer an appropriate portion of extract to a suitable absorption cell (1 cm for 40 to 200  g Cu; 5 cm for lesser amounts) and measure absorbance at 457 nm or with a 450- to 460-nm filter. Use a sample blank prepared by carrying 50 mL water through the complete digestion and analytical procedure.

Determine micrograms copper in final solution by reference to the appropriate calibration curve.

5. Calculation

mg Cu/L   g Cu (in 25 mL final volume) mL portion taken for extraction

6. Bibliography

S MITH , G.F. & W.H. M C C URDY . 1952. 2,9-Dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline: New specific in spectrophotometric determination of copper. Anal. Chem. 24:371. LUKE , C.L. & M.E. C AMPBELL . 1953. Determination of impurities in germanium and silicon. Anal. Chem. 25:1586. GAHLER , A.R. 1954. Colorimetric determination of copper with neocuproine. Anal. Chem. 26:577. FULTON , J.W. & J. HASTINGS . 1956. Photometric determinations of copper in aluminum and lead-tin solder with neocuproine. Anal. Chem. 28:174. FRANK , A.J., A.B. G OULSTON & A.A. D EACUTIS . 1957. Spectrophotomet- ric determination of copper in titanium. Anal. Chem. 29:750. * GFS Chemicals, Inc., Columbus, OH, or equivalent. COPPER (3500-Cu)/Neocuproine Method

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## 3500-Cu C. Bathocuproine Method

1. General Discussion

a. Principle: Cuprous ion forms a water-soluble orange-colored chelate with bathocuproine disulfonate (2,9-dimethyl-4,7- diphenyl-1,10-phenanthrolinedisulfonic acid, disodium salt). While the color forms over the pH range 3.5 to 11.0, the recommended pH range is between 4 and 5. The sample is buffered at a pH of about 4.3 and reduced with hydroxylamine hydrochloride. The absorbance is measured at 484 nm. The method can be applied to copper concentrations up to at least 5 mg/L with a sensitivity of 20  g/L. b. Interference: The following substances can be tolerated with an error of less than  2%:

Substance Concentration mg/L

Cations

Aluminum 100 Beryllium 10 Cadmium 100 Calcium 1000 Chromium (III) 10 Cobalt (II) 5 Iron (II) 100 Iron (III) 100 Lithium 500 Magnesium 100 Manganese (II) 500 Nickel (II) 500 Sodium 1000 Strontium 200 Thorium (IV) 100 Zinc 200 Anions

Chlorate 1000 Chloride 1000 Fluoride 500 Nitrate 200 Nitrite 200 Orthophosphate 1000 Perchlorate 1000 Sulfate 1000 Compounds

Residual chlorine 1 Linear alkylate sulfonate (LAS) 40

Cyanide, thiocyanate, persulfate, and EDTA also can interfere.

c. Minimum detectable concentration: 20  g/L with a 5-cm cell.

d. Quality control (QC): The QC practices considered to be an integral part of each method can be found in Section 3020.

2. Apparatus

a. Colorimetric equipment: One of the following, with a light path of 1 to 5 cm (unless nessler tubes are used): 1) Spectrophotometer, for use at 484 nm. 2) Filter photometer, equipped with a blue-green filter exhibiting maximum light transmission near 484 nm. 3) Nessler tubes, matched, 100-mL, tall form. b. Acid-washed glassware: Rinse all glassware with conc HCl and then with copper-free water.

3. Reagents

a. Copper-free water: See 3500-Cu.B.3 a

. b. Stock copper solution: Prepare as directed in 3500- Cu.B.3 b , but use 20.00 mg copper wire or foil; 1.00 mL  20.00


g Cu. c. Standard copper solution: Dilute 250 mL stock copper solution to 1000 mL with water; 1.00 mL  5.00  g Cu. Prepare daily.

d. Hydrochloric acid, HCl, 1 1. e. Hydroxylamine hydrochloride solution: See 3500-Cu.B.3 e

. f. Sodium citrate solution: Dissolve 300 g Na3 C 6H5 O 7  2H2O in water and make up to 1000 mL.

g. Disodium bathocuproine disulfonate solution: Dissolve 1.000 g C 12H4N 2 (CH 3 ) 2 (C 6H4 ) 2 (SO 3 Na) 2 in water and make up to 1000 mL.

4. Procedure

Pipet 50.0 mL sample, or a suitable portion diluted to 50.0 mL, into a 250-mL erlenmeyer flask. In separate 250-mL erlenmeyer flasks, prepare a 50.0-mL water blank and a series of 50.0-mL copper standards containing 5.0, 10.0, 15.0, 20.0, and 25.0  g Cu. To sample, blank, and standards add, mixing after each addition, 1.00 mL 1 1 HCl, 5.00 mL NH 2 OH  HCl solution,5.00 mL sodium citrate solution, and 5.00 mL disodium bathocuproine disulfonate solution. Transfer to cells and read sample absorbance against the blank at 484 nm. Plot absorbance against micrograms Cu in standards for the calibration curve. Estimate concentration from the calibration curve.

5. Calculation

mg Cu/L   g Cu (in 66 mL final volume) mL sample

6. Precision and Bias

A synthetic sample containing 1000  g Cu/L, 500  g Al/L, 50


g Cd/L, 110  g Cr/L, 300  g Fe/L, 70  g Pb/L, 50  g Mn/L, 150  g Ag/L, and 650  g Zn/L was analyzed in 33 laboratories by the bathocuproine method, with a relative standard deviation of 4.1% and a relative error of 0.3%.

7. Bibliography

S MITH , G.F. & D.H. WILKINS . 1953. New colorimetric reagent specific for copper. Anal. Chem. 25:510. B ORCHARDT , L.G. & J.P. B UTLER . 1957. Determination of trace amounts of copper. Anal. Chem. 29:414. ZAK , B. 1958. Simple procedure for the single sample determination of serum copper and iron. Clinica Chim. Acta 3:328. B LAIR , D. & H. D IEHL . 1961. Bathophenanthrolinedisulfonic acid and bathocuproinedisulfonic acid, water soluble reagents for iron and
copper. Talanta 7:163. COPPER (3500-Cu)/Bathocuproine Method

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