Catalytic Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry of Germanium(IV) in the Presence of Gallic Acid and Vanadium(IV)‐EDTA

A highly sensitive and selective catalytic adsorptive cathodic striping procedure for the determination of trace germanium is presented. The method is based on adsorptive accumulation of the Ge(IV)‐gallic acid (GA) complex onto a hanging mercury drop electrode, followed by reduction of the adsorbed species. The reduction current is enhanced catalytically by addition of vanadium(IV)‐EDTA. The optimal experimental conditions include the use of 0.03 mol/L HClO₄ (pH1.6), 6.0×10^?3 mol/L GA, 3.0×10^?3 mol/L V(IV), 4.0×10^?3 mol/L EDTA, an accumulation potential of ?0.10 V(vs. Ag/AgCl), an accumulation time of 120 s and a differential pulse potential scan mode. The peak current is proportional to the concentration of Ge(IV) over the range of 3.0×10^?11 to 1.0×10^?8 mol/L and the detection limit is 2×10^?11 mol/L for a 120 s adsorption time. The relative standard deviation at 5.0×10^?10 mol/L level is 3.1%. No serious interferences were found. The method was applied to the determination of germanium in ore, mineral water and vegetable samples with satisfactory results.