Application of Polypyrrole/Humic Acid Composite Electrode for Copper Ion Extraction from Drinking Water

作者：Antilen Monica^*; Guzman Diego; Angelica del Valle M; del Rio Rodrigo; Victoria Letelier Maria; Lagos Gustavo; Escudey Mauricio; Pizarro Carmen

来源：International Journal of Electrochemical Science, 2012, 7(7): 5939-5950.

• Humic Acid
• Ion Extraction
• Drinking water
• Modified Electrode

Copper is a metal commonly used to transport water systems due to its stability and advantageous properties. At the same time, corrosion may be a problem affecting these systems, for instance, causing the leaching of metal (Cu (II)) in water. In this study we have applied an electrochemical method for extracting this element. The use of humic acid and of a conductive polymer (polypyrrole) in a PIGE/HA/PPy modified electrode was evaluated for the electrochemical extraction of Cu(II) from drinking water. Synthetic water samples were contacted with Cu(0) pipes during 24 h (leaching yielded Cu(II)). Modified electrodes were prepared by mechanical transfer of humic acid (HA) to the base electrode (PIGE) and then depositing a polypyrrole (PPy) coating by potentiostatic electropolymerization. The modified electrode was subsequently utilized for Cu(II) electrochemical extraction from water samples using a chronocoulometric method, with a removal rate of up to 72%. Thus, the feasibility of decreasing Cu(II) concentration in drinking water systems was proven, corroborating the usefulness of the PIGE/HA/PPy surface modified electrode. Besides, the application in systems of this kind can be further improved by considering the different variables involved, e. g. PIGE electrode area, HA amount, PPy thickness, etc.