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.