Catalytic method for the determination of traces of tungsten by linear scan voltammetry

A novel, sensitive and selective catalytic method for the determination of tungsten is described, based on the W(VI-catalysed redox reaction between methyl red and Ti(III) in a hydrochloric acid medium; methyl red exhibits a sensitive oscillopolarographic wave at −0.68 V vs. SCE in NaOH solution. A calibration graph from 3.2 to 72 ng ml⁻¹ W (detection limit 1.1 ng ml⁻¹) is obtained by the fixed-reaction time procedure. The influence of 29 foreign ions on the catalytic determination of W was examined; none interfered at < 100-fold excess. The method is used to determine W in steel and ore samples, with satisfactory results.