The determination of trace levels of aluminium by differential pulse polarography

The direct determination of aluminium in aqueous solutions by differential pulse polarography is described. If the pH is carefully controlled to 4.00 ± 0.01, there is a linear relationship between the peak height of the polarographic wave and the aluminium concentration up to 2.5 × 10^-5 mol dm^-3. The coefficient of variation is about 4% at the 10^-5 mol dm^-3 level. With increasing aluminium concentrations, the relationship ceases to be linear, and above 9 × 10^-5 mol dm^-3, the peak splits, probably because of hydrolysis and polymerisation. Na⁺, NH₄⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ interfere at levels 100 times greater than that of the aluminium whereas Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, NO₃^-, ClO₄^-, Cl^- and SO₄^2- do not interfere.