Stripping voltammetry of aluminum based on adsorptive accumulation of its solochrome violet RS complex at the static mercury drop electrode

A very sensitive electrochemical stripping procedure for aluminum is reported. Accumulation is achieved by controlled adsorption of the aluminum/solochrome violet RS complex on the static mercury drop electrode. Optimal experimental parameters include an accumulation potential of ?0.45 V, solochrome violet RS concentration of 1 × 10^?6 M, and a linear-scan stripping mode. The detection limit is 0.15 μg l^?1, the response is linear over the 0–30 μg l^?1 concentration range, and the relative standard deviation (at the 10 μg l^?1 level) is 2%. Most cations do not interfere in the determination of aluminum. The interference of iron(III) is eliminated by addition of ascorbic acid. Results are reported for snow samples.