Indirect determination of surfactants by adsorptive stripping voltammetry

The effect of some anionic, cationic and nonionic surface-active substances on the suppression of adsorptive accumulation of the bis(dimethylglyoximato)nickel(II) complex, Ni(DMG)₂, is described. Competitive adsorption of surfactants can be used to determine surfactants commonly used in commercial detergents. Triton X-100 shows the most pronounced effect on the peak height. The shape of the calibration curve depends on the concentration and on the adsorption potential. Highest sensitivity is obtained when equilibrium between Ni(DMG)² in solution and on the electrode surface is attained rapidly. Under these conditins, the detection limit is 1 μ 1^?1 Triton X-100. Calibrations are linear over 1–2 orders of magnitude.