Differential pulse polarography determination of indium after column preconcentration with [1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol]-naphthalene adsorbent or its complex on microcrystalline naphthalene

A highly selective, sensitive and economical differential pulse polarographic method has been developed for the determination of trace amount of indium in various samples after adsorption of its 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol on naphthalene in the pH range of 6.5-11.5. After filtration, the solid mass is shaken with 8 ml of 1 M hydrochloric acid and indium is determined by differential pulse polarography (DDP). Indium can alternatively be quantitatively adsorbed on [1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol]-naphthalene adsorbent packed in a column and determined similarly. The detection limit is 0.2 ppm (signal to noise ratio = 2) and the linearity is maintained in the concentration range 0.8-125 ppm with a correlation coefficient of 0.9994 and relative standard deviation of +/- 0.96%. Characterization of the electroactive process included an examination of the degree of reversibility. Various parameters such as the effect of pH, volume of aqueous phase and interference of a number of metal ions on the determination of indium have been studied in detail to optimize the conditions for determination in various samples. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.