Comparison of copper(II) ion-selective electrodes for measurements at micromolar concentrations

Four types of copper ion-selective electrodes have been tested for determining copper at concentrations below lO^-6 mol 1^l-1. None of the electrodes has a Nemstian response in dilute copper solutions in this concentration range, though their responses are linear in pCu buffer solutions. The causes of the deviations are a direct redox effect in the case of an electrode with a Cu_1.8,Se single crystal membrane, production of copper ions by oxidation of the membrane itself in Ag₂S—CuS membrane electrodes, and a combination of the two in the case of the R??i?ka Selectrode. The electrode potentials are affected by the oxygen content and pH of the sample solution and the condition of the membrane surface. Precision tests on two types of electrode are described.