Intermetallic compounds and the determination of copper and zinc by anodic stripping voltammetry

The intermetallic CuZn compounds produced during the simultaneous deposition of copper and zinc at a preformed mercury film electrode were studied. Over a wide range of metal concentration ratios, the real concentrations of metals in the amalgam were calculated from the peak areas obtained by anodic stripping voltammetry. The results indicate the formation of CuZn (insoluble) and CuZn2 (soluble) compounds with K_so=5×10^?4 and β₂=100, respectively. The electrodeposition potential of ?0.85 V vs. SCE for the reduction of copper in presence of zinc is confirmed as correct.